inex september 20

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I N E X ISSUE

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SEPTEMBER 2020

For those that were wowed by the bright, industrial and inspiring interiors of last month’s Electric Shuffle feature, you’re in for a treat. Following on from August’s article from Amron Architectural regarding their involvement with the design of the Canary Wharf’s latest stylish addition, we’ve talked to the designer responsible for the scheme. In this issue’s Insight feature, we put Interior Designer, Founder and Managing Director of Ellis Design Studio – Alan Ellis – under the spotlight to find out more about his career, Electric Shuffle and other projects in the pipeline for the design studio. To read the exclusive Q&A, turn to page 46.

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Meanwhile, as we head towards colder months, we talk to Niall Deiraniya, General Manager at DRU Fires UK, about popular heating trends we can expect to see next season.

Turn to page 26 to learn more.

Elsewhere in this issue, we find out more about British Glass Designer, Nicola Schellander, Head of Design (South) at LOFT, Nicola McEwan, looks at how designers need to react to the ‘new normal’ and re-think how they attract people to properties, and Graeme Bell – Nordic Copper Sales & Marketing Manager at Aurubis – explores the role copper is playing as an interior surfacing material.

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 Cover: Scott Beattie, Managing Director at Fibo, explores how waterproof panels can deliver that high-end alternative to traditional tiling.

See page 36.

Editorial: Rebecca Kemp rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Digital Advertising: Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Jim Moore jim@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Print Design Manager: Jack Witcomb jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Rebecca Kemp rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @INEXonline Follow us on Facebook: @INEX Follow us on Instagram: @inexmagazine  Follow us on LinkedIn: @Inex Magazine

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Digital Design Manager: Matt Morse matt@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Accounts: Rachel Pike rachel@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Publisher: Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

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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 Cross Platform Media. 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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Publisher: Cross Platform Media Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BZ Tel: 01622 232 725

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2020

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COPPER

INSPIRE

HEATING

Graeme Bell, Nordic Copper Sales & Marketing Manager at Aurubis, explores the role copper is playing as an interior surfacing material in the world of high-end interior design.

Here, Nicola McEwan, Head of Design (South) at LOFT, looks at how designers and landlords need to react to the ‘new normal’ and re-think how they attract people to properties.

In this article, Niall Deiraniya, General Manager at DRU Fires UK, explores the evolution of heating systems for contemporary homes and highlights essential trends interior designers should look out for.

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IN FOCUS: HOTEL DESIGN

Jake Mason, CEO and Founder of 0120, explains why hotels must not lose sight of the customer experience as they begin to reopen following the coronavirus pandemic. Here, he looks at how hotel design has – and will – adapt in a post-COVID-19 sphere.

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In this article, we talk to Interior Designer and Founder and Managing Director of Ellis Design Studio, Alan Ellis.

Here, we uncover more about the interior firm’s projects, design ethos and probe into Alan’s career as a designer.

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EXPOSE

Scott Beattie, Managing Director at Fibo, explores how waterproof panels can deliver that high-end alternative to traditional tiling that today’s designers have been waiting for.

This month, Inex Editor, Rebecca Kemp, talks to British Glass Designer Nicola Schellander about her career and finds out more about her captivating handcraftsmanship.

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EXRATED

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

In this article, James Latham looks at the benefits of using decking products and engineered wood for standout features in garden design.

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Inex rounds up the latest innovative products and solutions entering the interior marketplace.

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COPPER – INSIDE AND OUT Copper has seen a dramatic change from its historic place in roofing prestigious buildings to a thoroughly modern external skin for contemporary architecture. But its role as an interior surfacing material for homes and commercial building is growing as well, with a surprising diversity of natural colours, patterns and textures, says Graeme Bell, Nordic Copper Sales & Marketing Manager at Aurubis.

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opper and its alloys – such as brass and bronze – enjoy a long heritage as the metals of choice for interior design, contributing a distinctive tactility to door furniture and handrails, and a visual richness to lighting and other fittings, championed by leading designers such as Tom Dixon. But increasingly, copper and its alloys are being applied as high-quality finishes for walls, doors, ceilings, elevators, highlight surfaces, bars, splashbacks and counters, exploiting the material’s unique performance characteristics.

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Particularly important today, copper’s inherent antimicrobial qualities make it ideal for touch surfaces. It is also non-toxic and safe to handle, as well as non-brittle and predictable to work. With a melting point of 1083˚C and ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, copper is inherently fire-safe and, therefore, rated ‘Class 0’ surface spread of flame, making it suitable for wall and ceiling surfaces in communal areas. But there is more to architectural copper than meets the eye, particularly in terms of recyclability, sustainability and long-term performance, wherever it is used.

Copper’s exceptional longevity – conservatively regarded as 200 years – is due to the patination process which ensures extreme durability without maintenance and resistance to corrosion in virtually any atmospheric conditions. This natural development of a distinctive patina when used externally defines the material, with colours changing over time dependent upon local environmental conditions and air quality.

Within a few days of exposure to the atmosphere, the surface begins to oxidise, changing its colour from a ‘bright’ mill finish to chestnut brown, which darkens over several years to a chocolate brown. Continued weathering can eventually result in the distinctive green or blue patina seen on older roofs. Obviously, copper used internally and away from the outside environment will not change and develop in this way.

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Living material

Modern factory-applied surface treatments can provide straightaway oxidisation and patination of copper surfaces to a selected level, which can also be used internally. Essentially, they bring forward the environmental changes without taking away the integrity of copper as a natural, living material and are not coatings or paint. Some of the processes involved are very similar to those taking place in the environment and utilise copper mineral compounds, not alien chemical actions.

These processes can enable designers to determine both the colour and intensity of patina for each project from the start. As well as a solid patina colour, other intensities can be created revealing some of the dark oxidised background material as ‘living’ surfaces.

Alloys of copper have also grown in popularity. They include bronze, an alloy of copper and tin which gradually changes to a dark chocolate brown when used outside, and brass, which can also be supplied pre-weathered. An innovative alloy of copper with aluminium and zinc enjoys a rich, golden throughcolour which remains very stable, just developing a matt surface – but no patination – over time.

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“Particularly important today, copper’s inherent antimicrobial qualities make it ideal for touch surfaces”

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Most recently, these copper surfaces and alloys have been made available with a diversity of mechanically applied surface treatments, adding an extra dimension. The latest developments in abraded and embossed mechanical surface treatments are particularly suited to interior design, adding another level of close-up visual richness, texture and tactility. These treatments include embossing to provide regular patterns of raised or recessed forms, some also abraded to reveal highlights of the base material colour for additional design effects. Grindings are also available with linear, crosshatched or curved-swirl hairlines to give distinctive matt surfaces.

These surface treatments, combined with the natural living colours of copper and its alloys, offer real design freedom, adding a richness and opulence to public areas. They can also provide an inherent warmth and sense of quality to highlight surfaces in homes as well.

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Forms and systems

Apart from traditionally-jointed, rolled material supported by a substrate, various other forms of copper are increasingly being explored by innovative designers. For example, copper can be supplied in profiled sheets or extremely flat honeycomb panels, and it can be pressed to provide surface textures and modulation. The material can also be perforated, expanded or woven as mesh giving varying degrees of transparency. When used internally, of course, copper can be used in an even wider range of forms and systems, free from the constraints of weather-proof detailing.

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One particular recurring architectural theme is material continuity, blurring the boundaries between outside and in with external copper cladding simply continuing past fully-glazed walls. When used outside, it’s important to remember that ongoing changes to copper, including pre-oxidised and prepatinated, as well as alloys such as brass and bronze, will continue over time depending on the local environment. Again, this does not generally apply to interior applications, and designers should understand and, indeed, celebrate the divergent developments of internal and external copper.

Finally, it’s worth remembering that the creative use of copper externally can have a major impact on the interior of a building as well. In this boutique hotel, external screens of copper tiles arranged in chevron patterns add a distinctive Art Deco feel internally. The mixture of perforated and opaque copper tiles – and their selective omission – curate views to the city, as well as modify daylighting and reduce glare. nordiccopper.com

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THE ART OF PROPERTY STAGING Like all industries, the property sector is having to adapt and overcome a host of challenges laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the sector embraces a ‘new normal’, it’s more important than ever to ensure properties stand out, and capture the attention of prospective renters and buyers restarting their search for a new home, says Nicola McEwan, Head of Design (South) at LOFT.

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roperty staging involves the art of designing to attract, and utilises a host of design principles to maximise the rooms within a property and showcase their potential – all to help viewers visualise their own future within a space.

Here, Nicola McEwan, Head of Design (South) at interior design and furniture specialist, LOFT, explores the key benefits of property staging, and why it’s time landlords and agents understood and unlocked its potential for themselves.

Stand out to attract

The number of people searching properties online has bounced back to pre-COVID-19 lockdown levels. According to Rightmove, on the day the housing market reopened in May, nearly 5.2 million people visited the company’s website, with banks reporting mortgage applications spiking.

However, with virtual viewings still being prioritised over in-person viewings due to safety, it’s more important than ever to capture the attention of buyers and renters scrolling online for potential places – and property staging is a prime way to pique interest.

Everyone wants to live in a beautiful home, and having photos that showcase perfectly placed furniture and accessories can transform a viewer’s opinion of a space, encourage clickthroughs and enquiries, and attract a whole new set of buyers who otherwise might’ve scrolled past online.

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Create an illusion

The art of property staging is about showcasing potential. Empty rooms can often be perceived as smaller than they actually are, putting potential buyers off.

However, furnishing a space lets a viewer envisage the possibilities, and can change their opinion completely.

It can make a space look and feel bigger, and helps create a picture for how a room could look if space is effectively utilised. It can also offer design inspiration – highlighting ways to maximise a space that viewers might not have thought of. For example, making the most of a corner space as a reading nook, or showcasing a potential dining area. For this reason, property staging is particularly useful in small homes or those with awkward floor plans.

Property staging doesn’t just look great – it can eliminate questions and doubt, like whether a double bed, wardrobe or side table could really fit. This additional peace of mind can really make the difference, and help turnaround an offer.

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Fuel imagination

When it comes to home layout, 68% of British buyers would most like an open-plan kitchen and dining area. However, open-plan layouts leave more space to fill, which can be a daunting task for many to envisage.

Utilising property staging in an open space can help viewers compare and contrast the furniture used to the furniture they currently own, or help inform the furniture they plan to buy. It’s also a great chance to showcase the potential zones within a space – providing inspiration of how a large area can be broken up with strategically placed furniture. For example, a 2 4

bookcase utilised to split the space between the lounge and dining area, or the use of plants or larger accessories to add colour and personality to corners and shelving.

Evoke emotions

First impressions are lasting impressions, and whether a landlord or letting agent is looking to make a sale or attract tenants, evoking positive emotion is essential.

On average, home viewers take 65 minutes before submitting an offer for a home purchase, and with only 27 minutes spent per viewing, it’s vital to help prospective buyers picture themselves within a home.

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By using property staging to introduce the right combination of colour and texture through the use of furniture, art and soft furnishings, potential buyers or renters can feel excited, inspired and imagine the aspirational lifestyle they could achieve by living there.

In addition, creating the sense of ‘need’ to own or move in can drive up the price, especially if multiple viewers picture themselves within a property.

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Once that’s decided on, the images can be turned around quickly, results in eye-catching designs that are perfect for use on adverts, or to be showcased on a tablet in person when a viewer is looking around a space.

Make a quicker sale

Property staging doesn’t have to be a physical task – virtual staging can actually deliver all the benefits, but for a fraction of the price.

It involves using professional photography, and adding computer-generated visuals of furniture, decor and accessories.

The process just involves an initial conversation with a design team to discuss the vision for the space. At LOFT, our property staging service has been designed to give landlords and tenants the edge over other properties, so the team has a wealth of knowledge on property presentation, and how different design themes will attract the buyers in mind.

According to the Home Staging Association, the average staging investment is between 1 and 3% of the home’s asking price, which generates an ROI of 8 to 10%. Generally speaking, these properties sell over 8% above asking price.

With 75% of homebuyers spending more time viewing a home that is staged, as opposed to a non-staged home, and the benefits and return on investment clear, now’s the time for landlords and agents to unlock the potential of property staging for themselves.

With competition on the property market stronger than ever, it’s vital to attract the best potential buyers or tenants in as little time as possible, and broadly appeal to wider audiences, so more offers come in. Property staging can be an essential element in achieving this without breaking the bank. loft.co.uk

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THE EVOLUTION OF HEATING SYSTEMS FOR CONTEMPORARY HOMES There are many conflicting factors driving the choice of heating systems for householders, architects and designers. First and foremost is energy efficiency. All appliances must comply with the European Ecodesign 2022 emissions and energy efficiency standards, which will remain in place after Brexit, writes Niall Deiraniya, General Manager at DRU Fires UK.

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odern homes are now designed around these energy-saving standards, with their emphasis on maximum insulation, airtight construction and sustainable building materials, leading to the trend for passive homes.

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New alternative heating sources

For the past 50 years, gas central heating has been the primary heat source for traditional and contemporary homes, with condensing boilers providing the highest performance and efficiency standards.

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New developments and home refurbishments still primarily install gas central heating, despite the Government intending to phase out the burning of fossil fuels from 2025.

More recently, underfloor heating, solar power, ground source heating, biomass boilers and new, more efficient forms of electric heating have all emerged as alternatives to ‘wet’ central heating systems without challenging their dominance.

Fireplaces are back in favour

Whatever the primary source of heat in the home, there is no disputing that the fireplace is back in favour with consumers, architects and designers.

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Where there was once a fashion for sealing up chimneys, there is now a preference to install modern fires and stoves to help them reach their full potential.

The traditional brick chimney breast is a feature of most homes built in the last 100 years. New innovations in gas and woodburning fires have led to the development of appliances that make full use of the chimney to create dramatic flame effects with larger apertures that are single-sided, two- or three-sided in their design.

All modern fires are glassfronted, using the ventilation properties of the chimney for combustion and extracting little or no air from inside the building. This results in safe, comfortable and efficient performance.

For a classic look, inset gas or wood fires can be combined with

traditional or contemporary fire surrounds, most of which are crafted in this country using natural stone materials from Italy and Portugal. For many homes, the flatscreen TV is positioned on the chimney breast above the mantlepiece, completing the home’s favourite focal point.

No chimney, no problem

For buildings with no chimney, today’s fireplace manufacturers have developed fires and stoves with flue systems that can be concealed inside false chimney breasts or exposed as separate design features. Gas fires use the balanced flue system, and wood-burning fires use external air connection. Both systems use air from outside the building for combustion and expel waste gases externally through the same concentric flue.

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The great advantage of these systems is that there is very little limitation on the size, shape or capacity of the fire. It is possible to have extra-wide fires, extra-tall fires, tunnel fires that can be enjoyed from two different rooms and even four-sided ‘island’ fires.

Fireplace manufacturers have also developed extended, fan-assisted flue systems, which allow for multiple gas fires to be installed in large dwellings, high-rise apartments, hotels and many other locations.

When presented with these options, architects and designers can incorporate fires and stoves into roomdividing walls, special architectural features, basements, loft conversions and even gardens.

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New generation of stoves

Wood-burning stoves have been popular for many years, but until recently they were limited in size and design, with the preference being for stoves that would fit a standard chimney opening.

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typically up to 1.5m tall with square, oval or tubular shapes; large, dramatic viewing windows and multiple coloured finishes to complement almost any kind of decor.

The other trend is for modular stoves that are either fixed to the wall or suspended from the ceiling.

They are combined with a variety of log storage compartments, which are both practical and complement the design of the stove.

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New electric innovations

Electric fires are also coming of age. New innovations in flame effects, design and construction have seen the development of electric fires that rival their gas and wood-burning counterparts for visual impact and efficient performance.

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They can be produced in the same widescreen or letterbox formats, with single-sided, two- and threesided versions. Using unique videogenerated flame effects, they make impressive features in the home and are much easier to install and maintain.

In contrast to gas and wood-burning fires, electric fires are mainly decorative heating appliances that are chosen for their visual appeal, rather than their contribution to home heating.

Whether the preference is for gas, wood or electric heating, there is now a vast choice of modern, efficient fires and stoves for consumers, architects and designers to choose from. Display models can be viewed in large, modern fireplace showrooms in most towns and cities and dealers employ fully qualified Gas Safe or HETAS installers to assist builders and developers.

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available online to help architects and designers make informed choices when recommending appliances to their clients.

It all adds up to the steady evolution of home heating, driven by innovative design and sustainable energy management. drufire.com I N E X

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HOW HOTEL DESIGN HAS ADAPTED POSTCOVID-19 Hotels across the world face a challenging time. Re-opening to guests during a global pandemic means hotels must implement a plethora of hygiene measures.

Check-in needs to be redesigned, space assessed to incorporate the latest social distancing guidelines, hand sanitisation has to be prioritised, screens erected. But as important as these practical steps are, especially for the more wary guest, hotels cannot lose sight of the customer experience, says Jake Mason, CEO and Founder of 0120.

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any hotels have moved at speed to put these measures in place. The Hotel 1 group, for example, is offering contactless services, including check-in, room key, menu ordering and television control, as well as redesigned space to ensure more distance between customers. The Marriott, meanwhile, has a Global Cleanliness Council that has put together rules such as housekeepers disinfecting their hands every 20 minutes while working.

But among the effort to put hygiene best practice in place, hotels must remember the foundation of what hospitality is. It is about generating the smiles, offering tokens of appreciation at arrival or thoughtful in-room details that make the stay more comfortable.

Hotels should look at all guest interaction points and decide where risk can be mitigated – and where the experience can be heightened, if needed. To do this successfully, design decisions should combine practical interior considerations with brand thinking from the start. Getting branding and interior design to work closely together is crucial on any project – during a global pandemic that requires quick solutions even more so.

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In touch, every step of the journey

COVID-19 has emphasised the need for hotels to innovate around experience, but it’s not a new concept.

Every hotel we’ve worked with over the years has been looking for fresh ways to enhance the experience it offers. At Irish estate Mount Juliet, for example, we worked closely pre-COVID with the hotel to imagine and design every part of the customer journey. Details include personal notes of welcome, inviting children to take part in the estate’s traditional activities, or comforting guests with calming scents at the end of an active day. These are an expression of the hotel brand at every point.

During COVID, these are even more important.

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The hotel of the immediate future might be about fewer interactions, but it needs to continue to offer meaningful ones.

A carefully crafted hotel brand can offer a sense of place, create special moments for guests.

The new brand strategy for Thornbury Castle, for example, weaves its history as a 16th century Tudor castle into every touchpoint – from room names to bespoke guest activities. For recently rebranded and renovated hotel Ercilla de Bilbao, we worked closely with the interior design team at Red Deer architects to evoke the place’s character and history of 1970s glamour, as well as the excitement of presentday Bilbao.

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Staff also has a major part to play in helping the experience come alive. Hospitality is a people business, and during this crisis, staff members can amplify the experience, distract consumers from over-thinking the hygiene requirements and make the social distancing measures almost invisible.

Lionel Real de Azúa, Founding Director of architectural practice Red Deer, agrees. Hotels must focus on offering refuge from the realities of the pandemic and looming financial crisis and despondency. They can provide opportunities for quiet, isolation and headspace, while promoting interaction through more tech-enabled platforms. “This crisis should be seen as an opportunity for radical disruption, reinvention and creativity,” he adds.

More natural spaces to combat fast-paced living

This is certainly a time for hotels to rethink spatial design, not just as an immediate response to the pandemic, but also with a view to the long term. In the past, hotels would fit as many rooms as possible into a building and incorporate big public spaces and conference rooms. Although this approach is not completely redundant, the current status quo offers a chance to redesign how space is allocated. For example, the hotel gym has long been an afterthought, one of the 3 3

most pointless spaces in a hotel. Why not create more space for in-room exercising, with the help of interactive products such as Peloton or Mirror?

The concept of porous design is becoming more important too – design where there is a lot less hard space between the inside and the out. Rooftop bars with retractable roofs or walls, such as at Shoreditch House in London, aren’t just a practical solution to the immediate challenge. These designs allow us to slow down and carve a new, natural rhythm to the way we live. They allow us to make more meaningful interactions with others – and reject the ‘fast forward’ pace of life we live in. They should become an integral part of a more longterm sustainable strategy.

Material innovation has also accelerated due to COVID-19. Guests want to eat, work and rest in places which enhance their physical and mental wellbeing. Whether through developing more virus-resistant surfaces or using more natural and raw materials, material design can help to achieve this.

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Another focus of postCOVID-19 hotel design is the marked change in consumer behaviour. Aversion to international flights, for example, means that hotels need to consider their local customer more. Danish restaurant Noma Copenhagen has temporarily changed its offering completely to welcome the local community.

Instead of formal tasting menus, it is offering generous platters and burgers outside – it is a more casual experience, but it is equally rewarding for a different type of guest.

Not all hotels will be able to re-invent their space wholescale – and they don’t need to go over the top in their attempts to redesign. They can approach the challenge in more subtle ways.

For example, if hand sanitisers are here to stay, ubiquitous at every entry, check-in and corridor, they should be incorporated in the overall customer journey more effectively. This could be as simple as co-branding products with trusted cleaning specialists for personal amenity packs, or as novel as creating a new welcome ritual around hand-washing and cleanliness. This sets brand principles around cleanliness from the start, but not in a sterile, bland way. If you can’t offer a welcoming cocktail on arrival, let that first interaction be different, but equally purposeful.

Whatever the approach, a hotel’s commitment to COVIDrealities needs to be visible. The efforts hotels are making must be evident and reassuring and touch all senses. The right brand strategy helps with this. Hotel brands are well-positioned to offer their guests refuge and safety, and they need to communicate that clearly, in a positive and meaningful way.

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Time to move on from tiling?

FAST FORWARD TO A NEW KITCHEN AND BATHROOM WALL OPTION

Always on the lookout for a new interior finish in their design arsenal, commercial interior designers can have a challenging time creating a scheme that works for the client and ticks the budget box. Here, Scott Beattie, Managing Director at Fibo, explores how waterproof panels can deliver that high-end alternative to traditional tiling designers have been waiting for.

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hether you’re designing a kitchen or bathroom scheme for a residential build-to-sell developer, a build-to-rent operator or a smaller scale commission, these are the rooms that can make or break a scheme with people expecting more than just white walls.

What’s more, designing postCOVID-19 will mean wall finish materials will be more carefully considered, particularly when it comes to hygiene. Arguably, this is exactly the time to make the move away from tiling, with its associated grout germ trap, and look for alternatives such as waterproof wall panels. Providing a much more hygienic option, wall panels contain no grout and less joins for bacteria to become trapped in – this is especially beneficial

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if you’re designing for independent living for older people, or in an office environment where a lot of people are using facilities.

Regardless, the absence of grouting means wall panels are significantly easier to clean and maintain, retaining that ‘as-new’ appearance for many years to come.

This can be a priority on certain types of projects where durability and longevity are key.

As you’ll know, a tough balance has to be struck between aesthetics, practicality, performance, and of course, cost. There are; however, high-quality waterproof wall panels now available that can add colour, visual texture and real scale to a room whilst providing a waterproof backdrop for wetrooms, shower and bathtub areas as well as kitchens, which can also be carried through in amenity spaces alike to create a continuity of finish.

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Add a bold statement panel

Designers don’t have to be limited when it comes to colour and finish, as there’s plenty of choice.

Dependent on your clientele, you can introduce colour in the form of a striking waterproof statement panel.

This may involve bright blocks of colour to create bold, confident spaces that, with a gloss finish, can really reflect light and make a smaller space feel bigger.

Coloured panels can also be used to tie in with the increasing use of vibrant and colourful bathroom furniture, baths and basins for eyepopping impact.

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Create for calm and wellness

Designing for wellness is more than just a passing trend. Relaxing spalike spaces can be achieved with wall panels that offer clean lines and smart tile effects in subtle wood and natural-effect finishes or softer watery colours. Whilst designing with wellbeing in mind, there’s also a very commercial benefit to this approach that flicks that buyer switch the minute they walk in.

Luxurious and opulent looks

Some schemes may require a more luxurious style. In these situations, visual texture and colour can play an important role. For example, chic marble styles can create a plush feel, especially in black and when combined with different textural elements such as flooring and sanitaryware.

Alternatively, a monochrome scheme could equally provide a more high-end finish, adding interest to a simple white kitchen or bathroom scheme.

Nudes, neutrals and naturals

Without doubt, a neutral palette works wonders in a bathroom setting, and there are plenty of subtle shades to select. There’s also scope to introduce woodlook panels to allow a natural softness and warm contrast to the often colder, harder surfaces that can be found in the bathroom environment.

Concrete for an industrial style

In contrast, for an interior take on the Brutalist approach, there are wall panels available in lookalike, soft cement and even cracked 3 7

cement styles. This type of finish provides a strong, utilitarian feel to bathrooms and kitchens and can be teamed with contemporary metals or raw wood effects to create design balance to your scheme.

Additional waterproof wall panel benefits

Quality manufacturers are able to guarantee these innovative wall panel systems as 100% waterproof, when fitted in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions. For example, Fibo manufactures panels that feature a sevenlayer birch core and an enhanced moisture barrier backing. The patented Aqualock system technology ensures a secure seal between the panels, creating a seamless, waterproof joint.

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For ultimate confidence in the longevity of the system, select high-quality products that include a warranty.

Fibo provides a 15-year guarantee – a warranty that demonstrates complete trust in the robustness and waterproof features of its panels.

Savings – on cost and time

Whilst aesthetics and material performance are higher up an interior designer’s priority list, understanding the benefits of wall panels from an installation perspective can also add to the success of a project in terms of scheduling and project management. Thanks to ease of installation, bathroom installs can be completed up to five times faster when using wall panels instead of tiles.

The installation process, for one, does not require specialist tiling skills or equipment. In fact, wall panel systems can be fitted by anybody capable with standard woodworking tools.

This provides the opportunity to save on delays waiting for availability of a skilled tiler.

In addition, the panels can be fitted to virtually any wall surface. There’s no need for backer boards, glue or grouting; the panels can be fixed directly onto existing tiles, timber studs or plasterboard without the need to prep the walls, saving time and reducing mess.

Interior designers understand the pressure of providing clients with schemes that are stylish and simple to maintain. By opting for laminate wall panel solutions instead of tiles, schemes will not only look amazing but will save significant time and inconvenience. fibo.co.uk

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Under the spotlight:

NICOLA SCHELLANDER

Nicola Schellander is an awardwinning British Glass Designer who has pioneered a simple but striking style of design that has permeated her designs at every level.

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fter studying 3D Design at university, Nicola won a scholarship for an MA in Industrial Glass Product Design, in which she gained a distinction. She then worked as Head of Design at Edinburgh Crystal, Design Consultant with Royal Brierley Crystal and as a Senior Designer at Dartington Crystal.

In 2007, Nicola started her own design business, which in its infancy, won an award for ‘Business Enterprise and Innovation’. She has produced work for Tiffany’s and Laura Ashley, among others, and launched her own designer signature collection at John Lewis.

Here, Inex Editor, Rebecca Kemp, talks to Nicola about her career as a designer and finds out more about her captivating handcraftsmanship.

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RK: What inspired you to become a designer?

NS: It stemmed from my early childhood. My father was excellent at woodwork, and I think I too showed a flair for making things. He taught me woodcraft, and we would spend hours designing and creating things.

RK: What inspired the start-up of your own firm?

NS: It was the decline of the crystal and glass industry. Crystal is an old industry which struggled to keep pace with the times. With the closure of the factories, we have lost some incredible skills and exceedingly talented artisans.

But I believed crystal still had a story to tell. I wanted to push the boundaries to show that although it is a classic, it is still contemporary. I have an extensive background in both glass and crystal, which actually is a bit of a USP, giving me a playground of techniques. I decided to see how far I could take it. Instead of giftware, I decided to look at interiors on a more sculptural scale. I’d long been interested in lighting and always thought it had never reached its full potential. I wanted to develop new ideas.

RK: Who has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your career?

NS: There have been many sources of inspiration, including my dad, who I think I take after. He was a Doctor but loved woodcraft and making things. I had a brain for science, medicine and biology but was always happiest when I was making things or painting. In terms of professionals, I would have to say the Dutch Designer Marcel Wanders, Finnish Designer Alvar Aalto, Architect Zaha Hadid and British Designer Tom Dixon.

RK: How do you approach projects?

NS: The customer may already have an idea of what they want, or sometimes not. I’ll explain the whole process, outlining exactly what I can do. Many people don’t actually realise just how much you can do with glass.

Their knowledge is limited; therefore, their ideas are too. They don’t realise you can cast glass, drill it, saw it, cut into it, colour it, render it transparent or cloudy, molten it. When customers realise its versatility, it awakens their imagination. This is where it gets exciting as it can be really rewarding watching them brimming with ideas when they realise the endless possibilities.

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RK: Who is your favourite designer and why?

NS: Marcel Wanders. He is so quirky and original. His creations are fun and full of humour. He has a massive personality which shines through in his work. Also, the Architect Zaha Hadid, Finnish Designer Alvar Aalto and British Designer Tom Dixon.

RK: Would you say that you have a design style?

NS: I think my style is quite sculptural, simple, quite striking, organic and fluid. It can perhaps be described as a strong sculptural style exploring form and the fluidity of the material.

RK: What do you believe is the biggest challenge for today’s designers?

NS: I think breaking into a marketplace brimming with cheap products is the biggest challenge. That said, despite the challenges, there are also new opportunities. People are at home more because they’re not going out as much and/or because they’re working from home. As a result, they are investing in their home and at the same time are keen to define the living areas from the working area. The high street may be in decline, but the internet potentially gives designers the chance to share their shop window with the world. It is a great platform, further aided by Pinterest and Instagram. Home interiors is a big industry, and it’s still growing.

RK: What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

NS: Launching a collection at 100% Design last year, as well as launching my own brand and opening my studio are my biggest accomplishments. These all happened just as I had come through a second bout of ovarian cancer which meant I had to all but give up work. I wasn’t able to create anything. I literally had to down tools. The only thing I was able to do online was continue as a trustee for a large glass organisation, for whom I coordinate and curate exhibitions.

RK: What has been your most notable project?

NS: I worked with a company called Silverlining which makes luxury furniture for galleries, private homes, private jets and superyachts. I was commissioned to design and create some extremely high-end glass chair legs for dining room furniture for a yacht.

It was a big project with 14 chairs. It was perhaps the most unusual project I’ve worked on, but it was a great experience.

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RK: Can you talk us through one of your most recent designs?

NS: The Fluidity Pendant is part of my new collection. It is an adventurous piece and not only enables me to utilise various elements of my craft whilst at the same time, produce something which is truly unique. The aim of this product was to explore the fluidity of process and material and also to explore the use of traditional tools on the glass.

The effect is achieved by repeating various processes multiple times. Whilst it is still fluid, each form is totally individual and begins to take shape at each stage of the process. Colour is applied to the blowing iron when the first bubble is blown, and then several layers of transparent glass are gathered over the top of that. The glass is gently heated and reblown several times, and as the bubble starts to grow and the glass becomes thinner, it needs to be reheated more frequently. The glass is then cracked off, taken off the blowing iron and put on to a punty iron and using newspaper the glass can be moulded and sculpted into the desired shape. Finally, it is cut with a pair of scissors so it echoes a rough, imperfect finish.

RK: What advice would you offer to those that are considering a career in design?

NS: Make the most of every opportunity to get a good grounding and build your experience. Talk to people who have worked in the field and have seen changes. Find out how they’ve built their careers. What were their highs and lows? What were their biggest achievements? What mistakes did they make? What have they learned?

What is unique about them? Hearing other people’s experiences is a great way to learn.

Also, share your ideas with them. Another perspective will always be useful.

RK: What can we expect to see from you over the next year?

NS: I am looking to launch new ranges and to expand into different markets.

Bathrooms are niche. There are not many designers who work in bathroom lighting as it’s a bit more complex, but there is a demand for suspended lighting over a bath, sculptures or wall lights. Also kitchens, kitchen islands, stairwells, wall lights, bedside lights, perhaps an offering for hotels for lighting with matching door handles or bowls. The opportunities are there for the taking! nicolaschellander.com

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Meet the designer: ALAN ELLIS

Alan Ellis, Founder and Managing Director of Ellis Design Studio, has almost two decade’s experience as an Interior Designer. Ellis Design Studio – a firm that specialises in hospitality projects in the UK and internationally – was born from Alan’s desire to create beautifully detailed, perfectly formed interiors, which reflect the desires and aspirations of the client and work perfectly for those who use them. Here, we find out more about Alan and his design studio.

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Can you please provide us with a description of your professional career?

My work has spanned luxury hotels, private members’ clubs, restaurants and bars, including experiential/ competitive socialising venues, and has also included work on theatres, concert arenas and highend retail projects.

Projects the studio has worked on have received glowing reviews from the press, including national newspapers and coverage in several design magazines. A number of projects have been nominated for design awards in various industry sectors.

What inspired you to become an interior designer?

I’ve always had a passion for architecture, design, travel and history.

Working as an Interior Designer allows me to explore all these interests and incorporate them within my work.

Who has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your career?

I find myself inspired by a variety of different individuals from a range of creative fields – from artists and architects to fashion designers and fellow interior designers. I love the fierce expressiveness of American Artist Cy Twombly, and the conceptual, cerebral approach of Fashion Designer Alexander McQueen, as well as eccentricity individuals such as Iris Apfel. Each have in their individual style and approach.

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How do you approach your projects?

Always with a sense of excitement, curiosity and a desire to create something beautiful, unique and perfectly suited to our client’s needs. My team and I spend a lot of time working with our clients to extract the best possible brief. After that, we spend considerable time researching and building a conceptual narrative around the brief.

A sense of storytelling through design is an important aspect of the studio’s approach.

Who is your favourite interior designer?

In terms of designers, I admire the work of Eileen Gray. Although known more for her furniture and architectural work, her interiors were infused with her sense of adventure, rule-breaking decadence and glamour.

Would you say that you have a design style?

The studio works across a range of sectors; from bars, restaurants, private members’ clubs, hotels and per formance venues, so the design style is typically shaped by the client’s brief and the most appropriate design response for the space. In terms of my design approach, I’m attracted to interiors with a mix of styles and influences – with a sense of eclecticism and layering. Interiors imbued with a story.

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What do you believe is the biggest challenge for today’s interior designers?

In the immediate sense, I believe the biggest challenge is the critical issue of climate change and the impact of our actions on the planet.

Our challenge as designers is to ensure there is an awareness of this fundamentally important issue and recognition of the need to take responsibility for the way in which designers design spaces. We need to ensure the choices we make during the design process are sustainable as well as beautiful.

How has coronavirus made an impact on interior design?

As we’ve seen over recent months, coronavirus has had an impact on almost every aspect of the economy with potentially significant changes to how we live, work and socialise. These changes may prompt designers to fundamentally re-evaluate the essence of how shared social and workspaces are designed, experienced and most importantly, how they’re enjoyed.

I believe that as humans are inherently social animals, our desire to find a way to congregate and socialise will prompt us to adjust and adapt to put us back on track.

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What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

Setting up my own studio with a great team of talented designers and delivering a range of exciting projects has been an amazing experience and a great accomplishment.

What has been your most notable project?

Electric Shuffle in Canary Wharf, which opened last November was a fantastic project to work on. It’s great to see it being recognised in the press and shortlisted for design awards.

Electric Shuffle delivers a contemporary, experiential reimagining of the classic game of shuffleboard within a beautifully designed, conceptual space. The 9000ft2 venue, in the heart of Canary Wharf, is set over two floors and comprises 10 play spaces and two bars.

As part of the brief, the game of shuffleboard has been redesigned and ‘electrified’; therefore, the studio took inspiration from the pioneers of electrical technology, in particular the work of Nikola Tesla. The studio created an interior which fuses references of the past and entwines them with cutting-edge gaming technology to form an engaging and original, contemporary, multilayered scheme.

Have you witnessed any recurring requests from your clients?

Clients in the hospitality industry typically want individuality, durability, sustainability, adaptability, and most importantly, desirability within any scheme we’re asked to produce.

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Do you have a preferred colour palette you enjoy working with?

We tend to work across a broad range of colour palettes as our job is to work with the client to bring to life a venue which is not only beautifully designed but also perfectly aligned with their brand’s aspirations.

What advice would you offer to those that are considering a career in interior design?

Work hard, be detail-focused, never lose your curiosity, be bold, be playful and always trust your instincts.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge for newly qualified interior designers?

At present, the slowdown of the economy due to coronavirus poses the biggest challenge to us all and; in particular, to newly qualified designers looking to start their careers. However, hopefully, this situation will soon pass, and we’ll all get back to potentially a ‘new normal’, which will undoubtedly translate into opportunities for graduate designers.

Do you have any favourite suppliers for your interior schemes?

We like Amron for their beautiful metal meshes, Lincrusta for their stunning textured wallpapers, Pierre Frey for their luxurious fabrics and Solus Ceramics for their extensive and varied range of tiles.

What can we expect to see from you over the next year?

Despite the challenges experienced by everyone in 2020, we’re working on the design for a new flagship bar venue in Central London as well as some other hospitality projects we have in the pipeline. Stay tuned! ellisdesignstudio.co.uk

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Image: Millboard ‘Brushed Basalt’ decking

LANDSCAPING THAT CAPTURES THE UK’S IMAGINATION Nominated by landscape professionals and members of the public, this summer some of the best modern gardens and landscapes have been identified for protection by Historic England. A new collection of post-War parks, gardens and landscapes has just been listed.

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rom Beth Chatto’s vast and glorious gardens in Essex to an Arts and Crafts-style garden scaled-down for a small suburban setting in Leeds, these are the modern landscaping projects that have managed both to capture the UK’s imagination and passion for our gardens and outdoor spaces and to stand the aesthetic test of time.

No one can say that the British public has not been indulging its own landscaping dreams this year. At even the most humble level, the domestic market for professional garden design and horticultural expertise has never been stronger, boosted undoubtedly by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic which has driven so many of us to stay at home.

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The stats are already there to see. After months of remarkably good weather for most of the British Isles, plus lockdown and no real oppor tunity for any of us to spend that much money on holidays this year, the garden and landscaping sector has been able to absorb a fair amount of any household’s discretionary spend.

According to the 2020 Renovation Nation Report, almost a quarter of adults have used savings intended for a holiday to pay for improvement projects inside and outside the home, at an average spend of just over

ÂŁ4000 per household.

The Horticultural Trades Association saw garden centre sales up 34% in June compared to the same month last year.

Suppliers to the trade are reporting a similar boom. The latest Builders Merchants Building Index has reported a surge in sales of structural landscaping products, which saw year on year growth of 50%, driven by garden walling/ paving, fencing and gates, and decking.

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Into a relatively buoyant market; therefore, comes a perfect opportunity to introduce new types of materials and innovations to satisfy the public demand for improved garden spaces, decking, outdoor kitchens, garden rooms, flexible spaces and furniture.

People want these usable spaces for safe, socially-distanced entertaining, working from home and relaxing, but they do not want those spaces to turn into something that needs a lot of maintenance.

Time then for high-tech moulded, composite and advanced wood products to come out to play.

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Innovations in decking

Decking is an obvious and immediate way to create a structural feature and very practical space outdoors. If the right decking is selected, it will need very little looking after – it is even possible to find decking sub-frames which can be used directly into the soil and still perform perfectly with a 25year warranty.

James Latham has recently been appointed as distributor for the award-winning composite decking from Millboard. Millboard decking combines the natural beauty of real wood with the high performance of polyurethane, a material widely recognised for its strength. Polyurethane is used in many industries where durability and strength are required, eliminating the inevitable deterioration of natural wood in projects such as garden structures and outdoor decks.

Millboard is moulded from real oak and is available in a variety of muted tones, which works perfectly for any decorative setting. And as the UK is prone to a spot of rain and landscape gardeners do love a nice water feature or two, it also helps that this surface has a highly slip-resistant finish, is very durable and will resist rotting and splitting. It’s also splinterfree, has lost-head fixings for a seamless finish and once installed it is very low maintenance.

Images: Millboard seating, cladding and steps in ‘Smoked Oak’

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Advanced materials

Naturally modified softwood is a fast-growing, sustainable alternative to materials such as plastics, steel or concrete. It’s also often far more sustainable than many slow-growing hardwoods, yet just as durable. With a warranty of up to 50 years, Accoya is treated using a process called acetylation to give it the same durability classification as European Oak, Red Cedar or Teak. Whether it’s furniture, structures, cladding or myriad other timber applications, Accoya really is the perfect environmental answer.

Made using Accoya wood fibres, MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME is also one of those products promoted by Lathams for use in the most extreme and challenging environments, including the exterior conditions of a British garden and any environment where humidity and weather are usually concerns. This time in the guise of MDF, these engineered wood panels feature the same 50-year ‘above-ground’ or 25-year ‘in-ground’ warranty as Accoya, allowing for a hugely versatile range of uses, from planters, outdoor kitchens, garden rooms and even wet interiors such as wall linings in swimming pools.

Images: Medite Tricoya Extreme

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Image: HI-MACS in Marrakesh villa

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For a very different but clean-cut look, why not consider a stone with a twist? Thanks to developments in solid surfaces, natural acrylic stone is now available for use in structural landscape design. It looks and feels just like masonry but is actually made from a combination of technical additives and stone dust, creating moldable and versatile shapes.

For the most imaginative of garden designers, Lathams

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stocks many of these exciting material innovations to play with. These include thermoformable products such as LG’s HI-MACS and the Aristech Avonite and Studio Collections, each with a wide range of finishes and masonry effects such as concrete, marble and stone.

For design inspiration, a stunning holiday villa in Morocco has recently shown HI-MACS at its best for external applications. From the patio tables and semi-submerged,

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curved sun loungers located in a shallow area of the pool itself, to the pool edging and drainage gulleys, all the way through to the signature sculptures, use of HI-MACS has helped to achieve high aesthetic standards outdoors as well as in.

For any landscape design professional looking to make the most of the boom in investments in our gardens, there are plenty of innovative products available to create beautiful and unique living

spaces. Such moulded, composite and advanced wood products provide a stylish, low-maintenance solution that will stand the test of time. There is always a beautiful, high-tech material ready to take up the challenge and that may, one day, even feature in the listed gardens of the future. lathamtimber.co.uk

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HOTEL WINDOW UPGRADES NOISE AND THERMAL COMFORT Formerly known as the Ramada Hatfield, the Art Deco Grade II Listed Comet Hotel’s multi-million-pound refurbishment, which began in 2017, is now complete. The works were entrusted with contractor ISG Bristol and designed by architect firm Stride Treglown.

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he hotel had retained the building’s original Crittall sash windows but did little to meet the required level of noise insulation to a number of the guestrooms, restaurant and function spaces.

Selectaglaze installed 104 secondary glazed units, with a cavity between the existing primary windows and the secondary units to significantly improve the level of noise insulation.

The Series 20 vertical sliding units were faceted onto the curved on-plan original bay windows on the ground and first floors. The function room was fitted with the Series 15 three-pane horizontal slider, which supports thicker glass when higher levels of noise insulation are needed.

The majority of openings in the hotel guestrooms were treated with the slimline Series 10 horizontal sliding unit, which has not only produced exceptionally quiet rooms thanks to noise insulation in excess of 45 dB but will reduce heating costs, thus improving sustainability.

Refurbishments like the Comet Hotel are often fast-track projects requiring close cooperation between client, contractor and specialists. Selectaglaze has wide experience of working in buildings up to Grade I Listed and offers a technical advisory service and specification advice to ensure correct interface with other trades.

Founded in 1966, Royal Warrant Holder Selectaglaze’s secondary windows are designed to maintain the character of the property and are accepted by most heritage bodies. selectaglaze.co.uk 01727 837271 enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk

BLANCO UK LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE The new website from BLANCO UK, a leading manufacturer of kitchen sinks and taps, has been designed to be easy to navigate so that customers can explore the very best in kitchen technology and retailers can find the products and details they need quickly.

At www.blanco.co.uk, the homepage showcases the prowess of BLANCO with lifestyle images of innovative sinks and taps in today’s stylish kitchens. Above this is a panel which features different sections for kitchen sinks, kitchen taps, the finishing touches (such as lighting and sink accessories), inspiration guides and FAQs. For further ease, customers can simply scroll down the homepage for further information on stateof-the-art sinks and taps and find ideas and guides on how to achieve the perfect kitchen. blanco.co.uk I N E X

LIGHTING UP THE KITCHEN Keller Kitchens has an impressive portfolio of lighting options for perfecting the finishing touches of the kitchen. All Keller’s lighting is LED-based meaning the benefits don’t end with appearance; LED lighting is also energy-efficient and sustainable. Keller Kitchens’ internal side vertical lighting is an exciting development for kitchen illumination piquing the interest of retailers by offering beautiful results. These strips are recessed into the sides of the wall cabinets to create a unique focal point in the kitchen. kellerkitchens.com info@kellerkitchens.com

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The Metro tile (or Subway tile) has long been a fan favourite at Walls and Floors, and a classic design many domestic consumers lean on for a reliable and versatile canvas. Walls and Floors has released its Pickett wall tile as an amalgamation of style trends. The six-sided tile is a development of hexagonal inspiration and the classic Metro, to bring a fresh and new twist on traditional tiling habits. Pickett tiles are also designed to be versatile, to meet interior design trends and to blend with a consumer’s own personal style. They come in five trending colourways: Navy, Snow, Light Grey, Mint and Petal Pink.

QUADRANT FLAT WEAVE COLLECTION MIXES SCANDI FUNCTIONALISM, STYLE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Quadrant, the leading commercial flooring specialist, has launched its Flat Weave carpet collection, which combines functionalist Scandi design with exceptional durability, sustainable specifications and enhanced acoustic performance. The new collection features beautifully crafted flat woven carpet made in Scandinavia; combining traditional weaving methods with the use of technologically enhanced looms. The range is inspired by the functionalist Scandinavian design of the 1930s, which became known as Funkis and ultimately evolved into Danish modern.

Aesthetically, the carpets are simple and understated, characterised by subtle differences in the yarn properties and woven structure of each range.

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A NEW VARIATION ON THE NATION’S FAVOURITE TILE

quadmod.com 01622 719090 wallsandfloors.co.uk 01536 314730 info@quadmod.com sales@wallsandfloors.co.uk

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE WITH NEW LURE DOUBLE RADIATOR Vogue (UK), one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of premium designer radiators and towel warmers, redefines one of its exclusive designs with the launch of Lure Double – a new sculptural radiator designed with a bank of close-fitting double oval tubes for efficient heat output. The latest addition to the Designer Radiator Collection by Vogue (UK), the new Lure Double Radiator is available in White or Anthracite as standard and its simple, column-like construction will complement any style of decor able to bring shape, height and optimum performance. Delivering a high heat output, the new double design of Lure creates a greater surface area to emit heat.

NATURAL OIL WOODSTAIN Osmo has the solution for all exterior wood surfaces!

• Natural wood grain remains visible • Fast drying, two coats in one day • Finish doesn’t crack or peel • Very water, dirt, weather and UV resistant • Reduces wood swelling and shrinkage • Resistance against algae, mould, mildew and fungal attack • No sanding necessary for future applications

vogueuk.co.uk 01902 387000 sales@vogueuk.co.uk

www.osmouk.com

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DON’T LET A SHED BE THE UGLY DUCKLING

DESIGNING UTILITY ROOMS WITH STYLE AND FUNCTIONALITY IN MIND

New-build properties often come equipped with a garden that is purely a blank canvas, perfectly suited for a homeowner to make their own. One such owner wanted to do just that, and after filling up the garden with brightly-coloured plants and flowers, they felt their shed looked unloved. Osmo Country Colour was the clear choice for the project, boasting contents that contain no harsh chemicals. Country Colour offers an opaque, satin wood finish for exterior wood. The range promises premium durability and a rich colour, hiding the natural colour and grain of the wood yet maintaining the wood’s natural texture.

A well-planned utility room can be as much of a pleasure to be in as it is functional to use, and considering how your client uses the space during the early planning stages, will ensure it works around them.

Shown here is the new Oxford Pebble kitchen, from Benchmarx Kitchens, that has been used to create a bright utility that gives a nod to traditional styling whilst keeping an air of contemporary modern flair.

The result is a room with plenty of storage, individuality and practical space. Benchmarx Kitchens offers a free online design service to allow you to create kitchens from the comfort of your own home. osmouk.com 01296 481220 info@osmouk.com benchmarxkitchens.co.uk

GROHE SYSTEM NOMINATED FOR GERMAN SUSTAINABILITY AWARD DESIGN 2021 Having already been nominated for the 13th German Sustainability Award for companies in July, the global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings is now delighted to be nominated for the first German Sustainability Award Design 2021 for its GROHE Blue water system. A top-class jury of experts will decide on the finalists at the end of September. The winner will be announced at the German Sustainability Award ceremony on December 4th 2020 in Düsseldorf. “I am proud that not only our commitment to sustainability but also our resource-saving product portfolio is receiving so much recognition,” says Thomas Fuhr, COO Fittings LIXIL International and Co-CEO Grohe AG.

MUTINA BRINGS NEW MEANING TO MONOCHROME FOR PARKSIDE Chymia, a collaboration between Mutina and Laboratorio Avallone, is the latest porcelain tile collection available in full exclusively at Parkside.

Chymia fluctuates between the discipline of graphic design, expressive gestures of mark-making and the two extremes of black and white, where symbols and textures are combined to create patterns of light and shadow on the surface. Black forms the basis, in a distinctive tone created by Designer Gennaro Avallone, with the patterns taking on various shades of black all the way through to white. Throughout the collection, black and white are never separate but co-exist, with each pattern also available in white.

parkside.co.uk 0116 276 2532 info@parkside.co.uk

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Nevez Designed by Lyndon

Lyndon 342 Swindon Rd Cheltenham GL51 9JZ +44 (0) 1242 584897

Boss Design Boss Drive Dudley West Midlands DY2 8SZ +44 (0) 1384 455570

sales@lyndon.co.uk lyndon.co.uk

sales@bossdesign.com bossdesign.com

London Showroom 7 Clerkenwell Rd London EC1M 5PA +44 (0) 20 7253 0364

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From Ocean Pollution to Noise Solution UK based acoustic solutions manufacturer Soundtect® began 10 years ago when their engineering team launched a pioneering process to recycle the carpets they manufacture for exhibitions into acoustic panels as a third generation product.

Soundtect® has grown into a Worldwide supplier of acoustic solutions with a wide range of products for walls and ceilings which not only reduces noise, but adds positive design features to any indoor space.

Soundtect® Ranges include; 3D Panels, CLASS Ceiling Baffles, CLASS Rafts and Freestyle, a semi-rigid felt used for wall applications, hanging partitions, ceiling rafts... in fact just about anything!

0203 040 2939

enquiries@soundtect.com

Showroom: 3, Albemarle Way, London EC1V 4JB

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www.soundtect.com