Designers in Profile...
CARPETING
&
RUGS
George Kalogridis (Founder/CEO) DESIGNER IN PROFILE... Nichole Gradert (Deconel Director - Deconel Division of Kalogridis International Ltd)GEORGE KALOGRIDIS
Kalogridis International Ltd.
(FOUNDER/CEO)
NICHOLE GRADERT
KALOGRIDIS
(DECONEL DIRECTOR - DECONEL DIVISION OF KALOGRIDIS INTERNATIONAL LTD)
Which sector do you specialise in? GK/NH: Head of State and VIP Corporate Which Sector do you specialize in ? jets, Super yachts GK: Head of State and VIP Corporate jets, Superyachts How long have you worked in this sector? NH: Deconel Director Head of State and VIP GK: 35 years Corporate jets, airlines NH: 10 years
relentless pursuit of excellence, starting with the use of the finest quality materials and developing new composites to suit specific craftsmanship in the industry. applications both in areas of design and NH: Allflammability. of our materials are made in-house right here in Dallas, TX. We embrace the opportunity to learnAnd andtrends/directions grow, allowing us tomoving continueforward… to offer new products utilizing fresh ideas long have you worked this sector? GK: Consistently updown with a heretofore WhatHow interesting projects have youin worked on and techniques. Thus, wecoming never turn GK: and 35 years unknown design which recently what was your direct involvement? challenge and we solutions do not limittowhat we problems offer NH: 10 with years further broadens and boundaries of GK: Worked interior designer to carry our customers; often, theythe arescope the catalyst for can be made practical. out concepts into coordinating carpeting and furtherwhat development. Whichwall other sectors do you decorative design for First Classwork Mini-in ? GK: commercial, airline, hospitality NH: Coming up with new techniques Suites forResidential, major Middle Eastern airline. The wall Working within the Super yacht and Aviation is NH: Residential, commercial, hospitality, stay current and markets, continue offering covering was a 3-dimensional design containing super sectorsessential must be to different than other yachts The flooring was a multi texture and have you materials that interesting LED lighting. found this toare be the case? and inspiring for designers. color carpet also containing fiber optic lighting. GK: Yes, challenging although extremely What interesting projects havegraceful you workedinvigorating. Very high standards of quality, The challenge: to produce an elegant, AndFAA now a little about you: onwith recently andfor what was your direct design longevity discriminating airline along with and Marine qualification — very involvement? passengers with products which have never been strict deadlines with attention to high quality and you drive: Worked with interior designer to carry detail, The usedGK: before. All passed requirements of OSU mostcar being spot on. GK: Porsche GT3 out concepts into coordinating carpeting and 65/65. Mini Cooper S decorative wall design for First Class Mini- Which NH: technological advancements have Suites for major Middle Eastern airline. The influenced your work in recent years? NH: The challenge: Keeping a luxurious VIP Your favouritecarpet, restaurant: wall covering was a 3-dimensional design GK: In manufacturing look in a commercial environment with strict we continually GK: The Conch at the bendand of the road containing LED lighting. The flooring was a flammability and durability requirements develop new techniquesShack in dyeing, tufting at Tarpon Bay,developed Eleuthera, anpatented out of the way multi texture and color carpet also containing processing. We have and restaurant on thetotop of the hill overlooking fiber optic lighting. Theprocess challenge: to producea product Please talk us through your of design, called Deconel coordinate with Lake Como, Ceviche restaurant in the buildan and application for your products, where the carpet. Deconel is a soft sound absorbing elegant, graceful design with longevity Galapagos. In a pinch, a great applicable. sculpted surfacehaving covering. This steak for discriminating airline passengers with embossed/3D under created the steer head here in Dallas, GK: Kalogridis’ carpet have process begins with a market whereby none Tx. products which never been used before.development NH: My Kitchen. interviewing andrequirements creating a dialogue with previously existed. All passed of OSU 65/65. the client to understand and establish their way to relax: design goals. a design direction has been VIP NH: WeBest are continuously researching and NH: The Once challenge: Keeping a luxurious GK: Free diving, spear fly fishing, established, dyeing environment of wool and silkwith strict developing new composites to fishing, suit specific look in acustom commercial wildlife photography. is done in our in-house facility. requirements Customer applications both in areas of design and flammability anddye durability NH: Spending time with my four dogs after a samples and renderings are provided to verify flammability. long day. design colour and quality the carpets to beAviation Working within theofSuperyacht and delivered. Carpet is be manufactured withother the markets, What are your current plans for 2017? sectors must different than place that gives you inspiration: environment in found mind: traffic patterns, trip factors GK: TheThe introduction and expansion of the have you this to be the case? GK: Driving on a mountain dirtwhile road coming and performance of pile heights. product beyond our traditional market, GK: Yes, challenging although extremely revamping our Viewing processes and ontoand an endless vista. the sea on the invigorating. Very high standards of quality, revitalizing NH: In manywith cases, customers come to us with infrastructure to of better serve Brazil. our clients. We up willto the east side Ilhabela, Waking along FAA and Marine qualification—very a design in mind. We then find the applicable also be introducing several new product style Northern Lights in Iceland. strict deadlines with attention to high quality materials and techniques to make their vision lines. NH: French and Chinese architecture. The sea. and detail, most being spot on. come to life through composite development and sampling. Wetechnological are constantlyadvancements adding to our design will be workingdestination: in the commercial holiday Which have NH: WeIdeal offerings, inspired by nature, architecture, and aerospace market quite aan bitunexplored this year. This GK: Travelling to destination. influenced your work in recent years? arts throughout history. being the case, we will work to improve our NH: Whistler, Canada for snowboarding or GK: In manufacturing carpet we continually offerings such projects to meet VIP design thefor Yangmingshan mountains of Taiwan for a develop new techniques in dyeing, tufting and What do you feel separates you as a company needs while alsosetting. maintaining rigorous burn warmer processing. We have developed and patented from your competitors? testing standards. We will also be moving more a product called Deconel to coordinate with GK: Our attention to detail, along with our into residential and drink: hospitality with decorative The perfect the carpet. Deconel is a soft sound absorbing enthusiasm and passion for the product. embroidery, furniture coverings, and more GK: A cup of Oriental Beauty hot tea. embossed/3D sculpted surface covering. This Our unique communication and connection to artisticNH: focal pieces. Taiwanese pearl milk tea. development created a market whereby none the client and carrying out their goals. Our previously existed. Final thoughts: GK: Be persistent in your pursuit of excellence. NH: We are continuously researching and 32 Luxe et al