ASK THE EXPERTS
HOUSE OF PAINT, HILLCREST
MAKORE CRAFT
NMC CORNICE MOULDINGS
Ashlea Lay, Owner
Les Dedekind, Partner
Trevor Spencer, KZN Manager
Tell us about yourself and your products and services. I’ve been doing paint technique professionally since 2000 and bought a House of Paint franchise in 2006. We became a multi-stockist in 2010, trading as Decor8. I’m pleased to announce that we’re trading again as House of Paint, Hillcrest, and that our store will be stocking a wider range of products, including hardware. What’s trending in your field? Black, whites, greys and silver are very popular. Depending on the room, an accent colour is often used. Your best-selling product? The Deco range, manufactured by Chemspec. We also stock products for automotive, industrial, wood finishes, cementitious, roof and waterproofing. Your fantasy project? I think I’m one of the lucky ones: I get to overcome a new challenge daily! I love helping people to achieve their desired paint finish or colour. We formulate new colours every day. The other day someone came in and gave us a piece of her purple hair – we matched the colour! On Sunday I managed to achieve a rust finish using a combination of artist oils and Deco Paint and scumble glaze. It looks better than rust itself. The ultimate would be to paint for a king!
Tell us about your yourself and your products and services. We are based in Forest Hills and do installation and finishing of hardwood floors and staircases as well as restoration of existing wooden flooring. We work with all types of natural solid wood and base the materials that we use on customer requirements and the best possible quality, never on cost. We do sprung floors, sports floors, dance floors, gyms, residential and commercial, using all installation methods. We cover most of KZN and guarantee our work. What’s trending in your field? People are trying to go green, and to this effect we do as much reclaimed flooring as we can. We also use water-based sealants and other products wherever possible. We are finding that engineered board flooring is becoming popular, and some of its advantages are the range of different timbers and colours available as well as their stability and the fact that they are factory finished. Which areas do you service? Most of our work is high-end residential flooring in estates such as Zimbali, Mount Edgecombe, Simbithi and Cotswold Downs. Your fantasy project? The same as anyone out there … My own house!
Tell us about yourself, your products and services. NMC has just celebrated its 10th birthday in KZN. We are a service-orientated company dealing in a Belgian product that offers top-of-the-range closed-cell polystyrene products, such as cornices, skirtings and exterior mouldings. What’s trending in your field? There has been a shift to modern architecture and also the subtle blend of modern and ‘old’. Lots of open spaces and exposed roof trusses are very refreshing. The current trend of renovating instead of building has shown amazing creativity and innovation with fantastic results. One thing that is timeless is the transformation that something as simple as a cornice can bring to a room, classic or modern. Your best-selling product? Cornices are our biggest seller, and we have a wide range of square, modern profiles, with new profiles regularly being released from Belgium, in line with current design trends. Your fantasy project? The most exciting thing for me is when architects or developers use our products in their own home, as this is the ultimate validation – and I’m happy to say this happens regularly.
Tell us about yourself and your products. After five years in the paint industry, I joined Nouwens Carpets as the marketing manager. Our carpets are known for their quality and craftsmanship and keeping up with trends. What’s trending in your field? trends in flooring are texture and natural products. Consumers and specifiers alike want unique materials, colours and finishes to make their project something special. People are increasingly aware of the benefits of using natural products, like wool, which come with insulation properties and luxury second to none. Your best-selling product? Our big sellers include our flatweave range, Nouwens Copenhagen: it’s 100% wool and has an SABS use-class rating of five – the best in class. It is ideal for homes or offices, but still has all the luxury and longevity of wool. Traditional cut-pile carpets, such as Nouwens Chenille and Nouwens Twistyle, remain popular: the 100% polyester pile; comfortable, but stain resistant, and colours are constantly updated to keep up with international trends. Describe your fantasy project. The Wool Project has been successfull internationally, purely around innovation in wool, its luxurious finish, unique multifaceted nature, built-in dirt resistance and comfortable insulation in all climates.
+27 (0)31 765 2300,
+27 (0)31 762 1506,
+27 (0)32 946 0458,
0860 000 058,
ashlea@chemspecpaint.com
makore.co.za
nmcsa.co.za
nouwens.co.za
NOUWENS CARPETS Richard Nuss, Marketing Manager
October/November 2011 | 41