Foglie d’Oro is the first Italian company in the wood flooring industry to use the Blockchain in its production chain. This form of digital technology can be used to record information securely and transparently, forming a chain of blocks of data that cannot be changed or falsified.
Using the Blockchain, Foglie d’Oro records all of the stages in its production chain in a way that is:
Secure – Transparent – Verifiable
The Blockchain is a type of technology that can be used to create and manage an open, distributed digital ledger in which data can be stored and exchanged in a secure, verifiable and permanent way. The information recorded in it is divided into blocks that are linked together in a chain, hence the name. Each block has a code that is tied to the previous block, so nothing can be changed without breaking the chain. This system – which has been successfully used with cryptocurrencies – makes it impossible to change or falsify the data recorded, thus ensuring that all information is accurate.
Trust and transparency are core values at Foglie d’Oro, which is underlining its dedication to providing authentic, unmistakable products by introducing technological innovation into its production chain.
The digital flow of data recorded in chronological order in the Blockchain means that the following can be incontrovertibly guaranteed in every stage: – Origins of the raw materials – Processing – Design and development – Product manufacturing and conformity – Transport and distribution
This all means that Foglie d’Oro can offer its customers and partners something truly invaluable: absolute certainty.
One of the distinctive features of Foglie d’Oro products has always been that they are all Made in Italy.
Thanks to the introduction of Blockchain technology, from now on all of our customers and partners can be absolutely certain that all of our floors are 100% Made in Italy. That means that every single thing to do with the processing, manufacturing and composition of our products complies with strict Italian and European environmental, social and safety standards, as unequivocally recorded by the data cryptographically secured in the Blockchain.
As a result, Foglie d’Oro can guarantee the origins of the products that customers buy, so there is no risk of fraud.
As part of its drive to champion authenticity, Foglie d’Oro uses innovative Blockchain technology to ensure that its products are traceable. The use of this technology in the production chain means that every single step is traceable. The associated information provides proof of the authenticity of products and can be freely checked by anyone.
The Blockchain is a public information network that contains legible, unalterable and permanent data. Therefore, it can serve as an effective means of preventing fraud and counterfeiting. Each item produced by Foglie d’Oro is given a unique, one-off code as part of an identification system offering guaranteed authenticity. The introduction of Blockchain technology presents Foglie d’Oro with yet another opportunity to proudly stand out from the crowd thanks to its know-how, by offering proof of the authenticity of its products to the legitimate holders of the rights.
Foglie d’Oro uses the Blockchain to provide irrefutable proof about the sustainability of its production chain. The company has always endeavoured to select first-rate raw materials while taking a totally environmentally friendly approach. Foglie d’Oro floors are made with wood from FSC® certified forests, where the resources are properly, responsibly managed in accordance with felling and natural regeneration plans.
Use of the Blockchain means that the pledges made by Foglie d’Oro on this front are even more transparent and verifiable thanks to the traceability of every stage in the life cycles of floors, from the provenance of the trees to the final geo-location. Buyers of Foglie d’Oro floors can access all of the information attesting the sustainability of the products, as well as healthy conditions and professional ethics throughout the production chain.
Foglie d’Oro has always founded its ethical approach on the importance of transparency. The use of innovative Blockchain technology in the production chain is the natural next step in its efforts on this front. Now anyone who chooses a Foglie d’Oro floor will be able to scan a QR code and access a digital platform where they can see a comprehensive array of accurate, up-to-date and totally reliable information about their product.
The structure on which the Blockchain is based is extremely secure and incorruptible. All information recorded in it is verifiable, thus ensuring that the data it contains is totally transparent. Thanks to this system, consumers will be more aware when they select products. They can make carefully considered decisions, looking beyond the visual appearances of floors.
About Foglie d’Oro
Foglie d’Oro is Europe’s leading manufacturer of sophisticated design wood floors, XL wide planks, and American walnut floors. Based in Italy, the company has been chosen by A&D to work on turnkey projects for over 50 years, developing a reputation for excellence all around the world. With a dedicated London team and working in synergy with its sister company Arte Brotto Furnishings, the two brands become a unique partner for designers and their customers, not only supplying exclusive flooring but also bespoke joinery and furniture.
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GoodWeave® certified for the promise of ethical production that supports local communities, Riviera Home crafts fine quality natural carpets by hand with a conscious effort to minimise environmental impact.
For nearly four decades, Riviera Home has been making carpets in India’s historic city of Panipat, known as ‘the city of handcrafted weavers’. Using traditional techniques, its carpets are still made by hand using high quality natural yarns, including undyed wools, bamboo and Tencel, which is made with wood pulp from sustainable forests.
Riviera Home produces every carpet ethically with a conscious effort to be responsible and is a GoodWeave® certified business. GoodWeave International is a non-profit organisation and the leading institution working to stop child labour in global supply chains. As a GoodWeave® business, every handmade carpet from Riviera Home is without child labour and supports education and decent work for communities.
Kuldeep Singla, chairman, Riviera Home UK, says: “We’ve been hand making carpets using natural yarns since we were founded, so we’ve been adopting a low impact approach to production for nearly 40 years. Still as a family-run company, we’re conscious that the way we make carpets does not just have minimal impact on the climate and the environment, but that it also the supports the communities around us. Our GoodWeave® certification is an example of this in action, as it’s our promise to produce carpets fairly and ethically, to support education and that no child is ever forced into labour.”
Riviera Home’s by hand approach to making carpets is the anti-thesis of mass production, but the company still draws on modern environmental practices used to lower impact by large manufacturers. Using only non-toxic and safe chemicals approved by Oeko-Tex®, generating 20% of its electricity from its own solar field and conserving water through its own treatment and recycling plant; Riviera Home is leading ethical and sustainable handmade carpet production in its region.
“While our ways of craft maybe traditional and passed down by generations of families, it doesn’t mean that can’t look to modern innovations to reduce the impact of what we’re doing,” says Richard Moore, sales and marketing director. “It’s important to us that our carpets are not just considered for their fine quality, but also because they offer a better way of making carpets through a lower footprint.”
The Riviera Home collection is widely available through its Authorised Dealership network.
About Riviera Home UK Ltd
Creating products with a distinctive point of difference, quality is at the heart of what we do. Riviera Home UK are the UK subsidiary of Riviera Home Furnishings, a world-leader in the manufacture of luxury, quality textiles. We specialise in broadloom carpets and rugs for the UK market. Our unique designs and luxurious handmade carpets are created using the traditional craftmanship and skills of our weavers, passed down through the generations. Our carpets are woven in both the finest wool and wool blends, including high lustre New Zealand wools, and combinations of wool with fine fibres such as Tencel.
As one of the first to feature fluted tiles, Cosentino continues to bring cutting-edge and sustainable solutions to the world of design.
Cosentino, the global leading company in the production of sustainable surfaces for architecture and design, announces Dekton® Ukiyo, a new textured collection that features linear fluting and offers livable luxury with the durability of Dekton®. Created in collaboration with the internationally recognised high-end interior and product designer, Claudia Afshar, the collection is available in ready-to-install fluted tiles, one of the first offerings of its kind in the industry. Its textures bring distinctive depth and dimension to any space, be it residential or commercial.
Dekton® Ukiyo is inspired by Japanese and contemporary design and celebrates the art of minimalism and embracing the present. Ukiyo means to “live in the moment” and the Dekton® collection is designed to awaken the senses and evoke a feeling of wellness by achieving a beautiful, calm state in the space. It embodies a rich palette of sensations, showcasing geometric yet smooth structure that creates harmonious designs both inside and outside.
“Playing with texture is timeless, and it is so important in all materials, not just fabric” said Claudia Afshar. “I have always been inspired by the materials found in nature and making the spaces I design as comfortable, warm and authentic as possible. Ukiyo is calming yet simplistic, and the colourways and fluting are romantic, but also contemporary and masculine to achieve balance.”
Especially designed for vertical cladding application, Dekton® Ukiyo will be available in matte finish and two fluting options: GV2 with groves set 25 mm apart and measure 5mm wide and 3 mm deep; and GV3 with groves set 11 mm apart and are 4mm wide and deep. Both will come in tile size 17.7 inches by 118 inches (450 mm x 3000 mm). To launch the Ukiyo offering, Afshar hand-selected five existing Dekton® colourways: Bromo, Kreta, Nacre, Umber, and Rem to provide a comprehensive colour palette to work independently and together.
Dekton® products are full life cycle carbon neutral and were selected for the collection due to their sustainable properties and high-performance capabilities. Dekton® Ukiyo is ideal for a virtually limitless range of vertical applications ranging from facades and fireplaces to custom furniture and so much more.
“Every day I strive to think outside the box in order to create something unique, yet special for each project. This collaboration offers just that and I am so thankful to the entire Cosentino team for bringing this collection to the market” said Afshar.
– Bromo offers a dark grey shade, inspired by homogeneous metamorphic rocks such as slate. Subtle, faded graphics, a carefully-created texture and a natural aesthetic define this evocative colour, perfect for any type of environment. – Kreta is inspired by classic cement floors, with calm movement. The design is even and controlled, although it provides darker or lighter areas depending on the density of the pattern. Its matte texture and grey tone combine with any type of material and make it suitable for diverse applications. – Nacre boasts movement that engages all senses – the trowel marks that bring the colour to life, the subtle interplay of light and shadow that accompanies every inch of the design. The touch delights with a silky finish as the fingers run over the different reliefs and scattered gradients. A pleasure for its high decorative and emotional value. – Umber features a timeless, rebellious colour with its own personality and a special charisma. The terracotta is warm and very attached to the Earth and closely connected to nature. – Rem provides intricate design, with brown and grey veining and hints of gold. Its fine veining under a subtle grain offers the ultimate in natural sensitivity.
About Cosentino
Cosentino Group is a global, Spanish, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of design and architecture. It works together with its clients and partners to provide with solutions that offer design and value, and inspire the life of many people. This objective is possible thanks to pioneering and leading brands in their respective segments such as Silestone®, Dekton® or Sensa by Cosentino®. Technologically advanced surfaces that allow the creation of unique environments and designs for the home and public spaces.
Earlier this year Ella Doran Design partnered with London South Bank University to run a small participatory piece of research named Shadescape, looking at a circular economy for textile-based shading products with a focus on the local economy.
I have been asking the question of how my company Ella Doran Design Ltd could close the loop and gain more transparency through our supply chains and communicate end-of-life or ‘next life’ with our customer base, for our shading products. Deborah Andrews has been my mentor on several applications to support this research. Below is an outline of what we have achieved so far, thanks to LSBU’s support through an External Participatory and Collaborative grant.
We spoke and/or worked with ‘actors’ throughout the product life cycle, from traders of the base cloth to the printers and recyclers, re-makers, and consumers. The project itself also involved re-making workshops where participants learned to repair and or repurpose waste shading textiles, empowering them to contribute to solutions that sustain materials and keep them in use demonstrating a circular economy in action.
You can read the call to action that we sent to our customer base here.
London South Bank University supported the conduction and management of the research, the workshops, and the publishing of the report. Deborah Andrews particularly was the academic eye during the whole time guiding and mentoring the process with her experience and past related studies. Essential was the collaboration with my company and Yodomo who contributed with their community engagement and making space in Hackney Wick for the public re-making workshops.
We also had full support from Hackney Council which promoted Shadescape at their Summer 2023 Sustainability Day where Sophie of Yodomo and I ran cushion-making workshops using remnant and pre-used textiles with the local community.
This research and the project pilot touched every point mapped on the journey around Circular Economy for textiles in the Shading Product Industry. The research was structured to better understand the common practices of the industry and the behaviours of consumers. Unfortunately, the industry participation was scarce, nevertheless, the three interviewed experts gave precious insights that will inform further investigations. In the future, engaging more suppliers, manufacturers, and waste management companies will be extremely important to tightly close the loop of this discourse. Talking with a couple of my suppliers, it emerged that they live in a stationary condition and are unable to drive the change, due to their scale especially as they are not the actual ‘producers of the raw textile’. Also, the recycler we spoke with confirmed that traders as well as consumers do not have alternatives to landfill when it comes to disposing of shading textiles, and institutions do not seem to put systems in place for that. Textile waste collectors, re-purpose hubs, and recycling plants are still too rare.
An additional survey regarding housing may help identify new opportunities for further studies and implement the holistic approach carried out so far. This research also demonstrated that blinds and curtains are valued after their use, and that circular approaches like this pilot have foundations to be built on. Public engagement is clearly evident, and not to be underestimated but rather leveraged. The Shadescape project and survey demonstrated that people have a sincere interest in contributing to research and are eager to acquire skills to play their part in the circular economy. They also committed to donating fabrics and repurposing them during workshops where sustainability values and actions were shared. In turn, the participants felt empowered, confident, and able to continue repurposing fabrics in the future. Finally, this study generated an ecosystem by connecting different elements together adopting a systemic approach. It highlights the preconditions for a localised circular economy where shading textiles are collected from pre-and post-consumer waste streams to be regenerated into new products by and for skilled communities.
This can help not only Hackney but also other councils to meet their sustainability targets. To achieve a stronger, lasting, broader, and demonstrable impact, the study needs to expand and build on the foundations of this pilot. Here, environmental and social benefits start to be explored by offering a way to reduce the need for new resources, mitigating the textile production impact on land and by teaching people new skills while developing a sense of responsibility and control towards waste. However, to determine a more accurate social impact the study needs to be extended to a larger and more diverse audience. Moreover, some points are still necessary to generate a Circular Economy Template/Actions Guidelines and to further engage experts of the shading products industry, as well as citizens.
This text has been adapted from the report and conclusions of our first research project with London South Bank University.
This recent Guardian article clarifies the issue further with the dumping of textiles in Chile’s Atacama desert to a beach in Accra, Ghana, but it also sheds light on an exciting innovation with Renewcell which can and will begin to change some of this discourse through recycling used clothes, but there is still much work to be done!
For those of you still curious I learned about Renewcell via watching the World Circular Textile Day held at The Conduit the afternoon session can be watched here if you are interested. A wider question, one that was raised at this event, and one I have been grappling with in my own business for some years now, is Jason Hickel’s book and provocation of LESS is MORE… How can we manage this transition in essentially making ‘less’ whilst retaining a healthy system?
He neatly points out that “… It’s not growth that’s the problem, it’s growthism: the pursuit of growth for its own sake or for the sake of capital accumulation”
He also said “….once we are liberated from the growth imperative we will be free to focus on different kinds of innovations – innovations designed to improve human and ecological welfare, rather than innovations designed to speed up the rate of extraction and production.”
A statement that I and all at Shadescape wholeheartedly agree and believe we are advocating through the participatory work with Yodomo to empower and inspire creative solutions to shading products.
About Ella Doran Design
We specialise in uniquely designed (printed or woven) made-to-measure window dressing, from roller to roman blinds, voiles and curtains. We work across residential, and healthcare settings, and welcome both large and small scale projects. Our company owner Ella Doran has been advocating and educating about the circular economy for well over a decade. With sensitivity to the complex relations between cause and effect in product design, Ella seeks projects that draw on innovative technologies to help push the industry towards a carbon neutral economy. We’d love you to follow us on our journey as we continue to develop new systems in collaboration with our suppliers, to support the circular economy and drive down our carbon emissions.
Cosentino introduces Le Chic new collection, an advanced design proposal that recovers the beauty of veined patterns to show all the elegance and sophistication of Silestone®. Introducing six new designs, Silestone® Le Chic features patterns with expressive veins and metallic accents that stand out against neutral backdrops like cream or deep blues and blacks, obtaining designs full of depth.
Cosentino Group, global leader in the production and distribution of innovative and sustainable surfaces for architecture and design presents Le Chic, the latest release from Silestone® by Cosentino.
“Elegance,” said of a work is something that is distinguished by a minimalist simplicity that does not impede precision and excellence. For its part, it’s said that something is “refined” when it’s perfected, and it becomes finer and purer. Both definitions are embodied in Le Chic, from Silestone® by Cosentino. After conquering urban spaces with modern aesthetics with Urban Crush series, Le Chic shows all the elegance and sophistication of Silestone®.
This new Silestone® series redefines a timeless classic. A step forward in veined-patterned surfacing with six design proposals that offers the charm of Victorian and Parisian spaces, speaking to nostalgia with a modern yet timeless execution. Le Chic collection is an elegant and sophisticated offering at the intersection of fashion and design. The patterns feature expressive veins and metallic accents that stand out against neutral backdrops like cream or deep blues and blacks, obtaining designs full of depth.
The refinement flourishes from the ground of innovation and sustainability. Le Chic represents advancement in Cosentino’s surface manufacturing, as the detailed veining requires an all-new system of design. The intricate, interlocking veins are made possible by the brand’s new molding system, giving life to particles and minerals of a wide range of sizes and creating an incredible new texture.
The real sustainability of this collection comes from Cosentino’s patented HybriQ+® technology. Silestone® Le Chic is manufactured using 99% reused water and 100% renewable energy, and incorporating a minimum of 20% recycled raw materials in its composition, that also has less than 40% of silica.
Le Chic collection is composed of six designs: Parisien Blue, Eclectic Pearl, Versailles Ivory, Victorian Silver, Bohemian Flame and Romantic Ash.
Parisien Blue Pure nostalgia for the French capital. Boasts a deep bluish tone with strong personality and powerful character. Inspired by the shades seen in famous Imperial Roman stones, combined with fine veins in ochre tones.
Eclectic Pearl One of the best examples of Le Chic essence. Classic and modern perfect fusion. Flowing streams of delicate tones incrusted with grains like diamonds on jewelry. Eclectic Pearl hypnotizes with delicate veining, texture, and metallic accents across the whole surface.
Versailles Ivory The warmest tone of the collection. Very subtle two-toned marbling in the background with gradient effects mesmerize with the flickering lights of its golden sparkle. Versailles Ivory exudes luxury and elegance, reminiscent of the exuberance of the Palace of Versailles.
Victorian Silver Soft and subtle two-toned marbling in the background, with gradient effects and great depth. The cool background tone blends with its silver and dark grey veins to create an elegant colour that fits seamlessly with warm and cold tones.
Bohemian Flame This colour presents subtle sinuous veins with metallic inlays in copper shades. The movement of the golden flows of lava that generate scars on volcanic soil inspires it. It’s reminiscent of the calmly moving golden flame of candles accentuating tiny metallic pieces.
Romantic Ash Another example of Le Chic’s visual excellence. Large rivers and incrustations of grains in various sizes awaken memories of a milky way visible on a clear starry sky. The accent of blue strengthens the depth of Romantic Ash.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a sustainable desert home design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Daniel Joseph Chenin.
Perched atop a rocky outcropping with views to surrounding canyons, Fort 137 was designed as a sustainable home using passive and active strategies. Large, operable fenestrations on the north and south facades extend the living space beyond the architectural perimeter and provide cross-ventilation and daylighting, along with expansive views. Louvered roof overhangs minimise heat gain during summer months while allowing natural light to permeate in the winter. Thick stone clad walls regulate thermal transmission.
SBID Awards Category: Residential House Over £1M
Practice: Daniel Joseph Chenin
Project: Fort 137
Location: Nevada, United States of America
There wasn’t a brief, so to speak, or a strong directive from our clients, but through our pre-design conversations, we learned our client’s priorities which included sustainability, generous space for family connections, and integration with the surrounding natural environment.
The client’s site sits at the most remote edge of the Las Vegas Valley, with unobstructed views of the surround federally protected desert and canyons. This intentionally remote location, coupled with our client’s desire to be immersed in the landscape with an environmentally conscious home, served as our inspiration. The ‘Old Mormon Fort’, one of the oldest remaining structures from Las Vegas’ early settlement days, immediately came to mind. Dating back to the 1800s, this historic structure serves as a case study on passive design for the desert. With thick walls, comprised of regional stone, deep-set fenestration, trellis shade structures, and a courtyard configuration, Fort 137 reclaims the vernacular architecture of the American frontier. The exterior material palette is compatible with the contextual desert environment and is terraced into the hillside, appearing to emerge from the rock-strewn desert.
At first glance, the undeveloped site presented a challenge. While situated on a hillside, the site itself was in a crest that blocked many of the views of Red Rock Canyon that our clients wanted to capture. Recognising the importance of the views and sightlines, our design elevated portions of the home by 1.5 meters through a subtle grading approach. Ultimately, we were able to deliver the spectacular desert views that originally drew our clients to the site with no steps or level changes inside the residence.
The entry rotunda is one of the stand-out elements of the design. It is the lone round element in an otherwise orthogonal structure, so it an anomaly from a form perspective, but it is even more unique functionally and conceptually. Outwardly unassuming, the cylindrical volume acts as a point of reflection and transition. A bubbling water feature located at the center of the darkened space transports visitors from the fast-paced world outside with the sounds and smells of a desert monsoon rain. The portal serves as palette cleanser of sorts, setting the scene for this modern interpretation of a fort.
The SBID Awards is an opportunity to showcase our designs to an international audience along with a highly respected panel of judges representing a cross section of the industry.
As a designer, it is always extremely gratifying to have your work recognised by peers and industry leaders alike. My team and I invest so much of ourselves in our projects – each of which take years to bring to fruition. We are grateful and honored to be an SBID Award Finalist.
Questions answered by Daniel Chenin, Founder of Daniel Joseph Chenin.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a serene spa design by Rodrigo Vargas Design, click here to read it.
Gaggenau, the luxury brand for professional-grade home appliances, is once again immersing itself in the London Festival of Architecture 2023.
As part of the month-long celebration of architecture, Gaggenau London is showcasing a specially commissioned installation, TIME by Raphaé Memon and Sikander Pervez. It will be on display in the showroom window until 30 June 2023.
TIME is a series of handmade clocks, stacked vertically, designed to encourage us to explore our complex relationship with time. It was created by architect and stage designer Raphaé Memon and Sikander Pervez, a visual artist working in sculpture and installation. The duo’s brief for the installation was to use materials produced as a by-product of Gaggenau’s manufacturing process. As a result, the clocks are cast in plaster to be as close to zero-waste as possible.
“We were inspired by Gaggenau’s focus on hand craftsmanship, heritage and sustainability,” says Sikander Pervez. “A commonality found throughout is time. For example, the time it takes to consider lifestyles around which the appliances are designed. Everything at Gaggenau is manufactured precisely to ensure a minimal amount of waste is produced, so the consumer shares the maximum amount of time with appliances that are built to last.”
Each clock relates to a global time zone, including cities with Gaggenau showrooms, places that are personal to the designers and those who work at Gaggenau London, as well as countries that are most vulnerable to climate change. “The clocks have been handmade and signed as an edition of 200, with the aim that their life will continue beyond the installation in people’s homes,” adds Raphaé Memon. “They will therefore extend their time as functional objects, in keeping with the global conversation surrounding sustainability.”
Edina Crnkic, Gaggenau Group Brand Marketing Manager, said: “We are excited to work with Raphaé and Sikander to showcase this intriguing and very beautiful work. It chimes perfectly with Gaggenau’s values in terms of craftsmanship and sustainability and I’m sure it will spark many conversations.”
Gaggenau London is situated at 40 Wigmore Street and visitors will be able to enjoy the TIME installation throughout London Festival of Architecture (1-30 June 2023).
Any visitor who would like to take a clock home should register their interest at the showroom. The clocks will then be given out on a first-come, first-served basis at 10am on 1 July 2023.
About Gaggenau
Gaggenau is a manufacturer of high-quality home appliances and is acknowledged as an innovation leader in design and technology “Made in Germany”. The company, with a history dating back to 1683, has revolutionised the domestic kitchen with its internationally acclaimed products.
Promoting independence and wellbeing in later life, the UK’s market leader in vinyl flooring, Karndean Designflooring, has partnered with retirement living specialist, Inspired Villages, to provide a high quality experience and the ideal solution for a healthy retirement.
Elderswell in Bedfordshire, the latest development in Inspired Villages’ portfolio which opened in November 2022 and will include 156 homes, demonstrates how an inclusive approach and a comfortable environment with a premium finish can transform the retirement experience.
Designed for independent living and following design principles for hospitality venues rather than more clinical settings, Elderswell’s new Village Centre delivers on the philosophy that quality of life should flourish as we get older with a focus on community and an active lifestyle.
Specifying Karndean flooring throughout the Village Centre as well as in the kitchens of each residential unit not only provides an authentic natural look and homely atmosphere but also meets all the technical specifications of a demanding commercial setting.
Fleur Carson, commercial sales director at Karndean Designflooring, said: “A concept that is still in its infancy here in the UK, retirement villages offer a home from home experience that focuses on lifestyle rather than care, where older people can enjoy the best years of their lives.
Materials that are attractive yet easy to maintain are key to providing desirable living spaces that are suitable for the needs of older residents. Each of our flooring designs has been inspired by samples of natural wood and stone from around the world. An authentic representation of each material is then combined with the latest technology to develop a high-quality luxury vinyl flooring with the versatility to create imaginative interiors.”
Sonia Parol, design director at Inspired Villages, said: “Our objective is to build vibrant communities with the facilities that actively retired people want, such as restaurants, bars, wellbeing facilities such as gym, studio and swimming pool and hairdressers. These facilities are also open to the general public and this creates strong inclusive links to the local community. We understand the mental health benefits our residents gain from being involved and engaged in their community. This is why we design and deliver villages that offer our residents many opportunities for engagement in cultural and physical activities, ensuring the pursuit of their hobbies and passions.”
Set in the scenic Bedfordshire countryside, Elderswell is a rural retreat with convenient access to the local towns. When it came to the interior, Manchester based design consultant SpaceInvader was inspired by the development’s natural locality to create a timelessly elegant space with an organic style and earthy colour palette.
True to its ethos of quality and practicality, Inspired Villages stipulates a consistent approach to interior design whereby 80% of its specifications are standardized and 20% contextual with furniture, art and other elements that reflect each unique locality.
Fleur Carson said: “In commercial projects such as these it is important that materials can meet requirements for standardization to support easy installation and help meet deadlines but also offer the versatility designers need to create spaces that are welcoming and inspiring. Our flooring ranges provide just this: a reliable quality and specification as well as a wide choice of authentic wood and stone designs that can be used to create bespoke interiors.”
In the Village Centre restaurant, a honey oak design flooring has been used to introduce natural textures and warm tones to the soft colour palette of grey, beige and green. Choosing Golden Brushed Oak herringbone from the Van Gogh dual format range, an attractive European oak design with a delicate balance of long straight grain and beautiful ‘flowery’ grain, has resulted in a floor that oozes authentic charm and adds interest with a sense of movement.
In the wellbeing facilities, Bleached Tasmanian Oak from the Karndean LooseLay Longboard range brings a clean contemporary feel appropriate to its active setting. The design’s loose lay format, which features an enhanced acoustic layer, comes with all the practical benefits of Karndean flooring but also serves to reduce noise transfer by 13dB. Held in place with a combination of weight and Karndean’s K-Wave grip backing, ongoing maintenance and repairs are straight forward as damaged planks can be simply lifted and replaced.
Sonia Parol said: “We use Karndean flooring across all our new villages. While each village has its own unique character and features different flooring designs, we know that Karndean will give us the variety of style and finish we are looking for alongside standardized technical specifications, durability and low maintenance.”
About Karndean Designflooring
Karndean Designflooring is a global supplier of commercial and residential luxury vinyl tile flooring. We’re an industry leader in flooring design, offering a wide range of colours, textures and finishes, helping you to create unique looks guaranteed to last.
Innovative design and enhanced technology meets form and function with the new Creo and Vito 25mm sustainable shower trays from Crosswater. Whether the goal is to make a design statement or create a minimalist silhouette where the shower blends seamlessly into the wider bathroom, these will elevate any shower space.
Crafted from 100% recyclable Dolomite engineered stone and hand finished to perfection, Creo and Vito are expertly designed with comfort and efficiency in mind. Smooth and warm to the touch, engineered stone is soothing underfoot and creates a sleek, seamless feel.
Designed with high-flow central or linear drainage systems for faster drainage and almost invisible gullies and edges, shallow pools of water are a thing of the past. And with no hard, uncomfortable ridges to step on, the designs allow continuous flow from the rest of the bathroom floor.
Using natural materials embraces relaxation and wellness principles that instil a sense of natural tranquility. Brilliantly resilient and hard-wearing with exceptional impact resistance, engineered stone retains water thermal temperature for longer, creating a warm and luxurious showering experience.
Manufactured in a zero-emission factory that uses 100% solar energy, using engineered stone considerably reduces the energy required to make each tray and excess materials are simply repurposed. The trays are finished with a permanent Nanocoat gel, ensuring the surfaces are non-porous, anti-bacterial and easy to clean.
Creo is available in rectangular and offset quadrant options – prices from £260. Vito is available in square and rectangular options – prices from £311.
The UK’s market leader in luxury vinyl flooring, Karndean Designflooring, is introducing its biggest collection update yet with new designs inspired by moments of nature sourced throughout the world.
The updated Van Gogh collection features new designs in additional format and tile size choices, including on-trend herringbone and chevron. Having taken its Van Gogh range into dual format (gluedown and rigid core) territory in 2020, Karndean flooring is expanding the collection with 24 brand new designs, including its first stone designs, as well as bringing further format and size choices to a number of existing designs.
Inspired by the beauty of the natural world and materials sourced from around the world, Karndean’s refreshed range offers unrivalled versatility to create bespoke interiors that ooze elegance whilst also supporting health and wellbeing and contributing to a sustainable built environment.
Presenting a wide selection of contemporary wood and stone styles and colourways, from cool greys and calm neutrals to warm tones, the collection is expected to find favour in a variety of settings, from residential and community living to commercial spaces such as workplaces, higher education, retail and hospitality.
Fleur Carson, commercial sales director at Karndean Designflooring, said: “Van Gogh has long been our most popular range in co-living developments, and it has continued to see significant growth in commercial applications. We see design as an endless journey so we are always striving to improve our offering to meet the latest requirements of the interior design world and the evolving sustainability demands of our built environment.”
“Now celebrating our 50th year in the industry, Karndean is trusted as a manufacturer of authentic flooring designs that meet both aesthetic and technical specifications of any project. Known for never resting on our laurels, this launch expands our Van Gogh range to a total of 70 wood and stone designs in a convenient choice of sizes and formats. This unsurpassed versatility offers specifiers a whole different level of creative freedom, from the ability to take the same design over different subfloor conditions to incorporating imaginative patterns and colour combinations.”
The Van Gogh range is introducing nine brand new wood designs, including four characterful Highland Oaks, two rustic Farmhouse Oaks and two warm American Cedars. Designers looking to conceive distinctive and playful interiors will also welcome the introduction of a chevron plank to three Brushed Oak colourways. The 28” x 7”chevron plank broadens the opportunities to incorporate different laying patterns for visual interest and a sense of movement.
Incorporating stone designs into the Van Gogh range for the first time has elevated its design potential, generating endless scope for bespoke flooring using a combination of wood and stone designs. Inspired by stones sourced from across Europe, 15 striking new designs feature the beauty and elegance of marble, slate and terracotta. The large tile size of these designs, including a new 18” x 36” tile, serves to accentuate and enhance the natural textures and variation found in the original samples.
Whether opting for a rigid core format over uneven or drying subfloors, or creating one-off designs with gluedown, specifiers will appreciate how this comprehensive Van Gogh range inspires and enables unique yet cohesive interiors with the durability to stand the test of time.
Offering enhanced acoustic benefits and easy to install with a click-locking mechanism, Karndean’s rigid core designs come with a colour matched scotia for a seamless finish. The Van Gogh range comes with an Environmental Product Declaration and the reassurance of a 15 year guarantee for commercial settings and a lifetime guarantee for residential settings.
Our design process begins with a meeting…with nature. We see flooring differently. Pushing the boundaries has to be an adventure of discovery. It’s why we travel the world for inspiration. From the ancient European woodlands to the Australian outback, we pack our bags and go there. Every time, we connect with something extraordinary that shapes our every step. It’s how we bring the unimaginable, inspired from the outdoors, indoors.
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