The Sync design series from Dornbracht complements style-conscious and progressive kitchen interiors. The tapered design transition between body and spout is the primary characteristic of the fitting, with the inner contour of the groove-free lever running parallel to it. With its dynamic, forward-facing design language, Sync offers function as well as form for a timeless piece that is easy to use in the kitchen.
Whether paired with natural stone and concrete, copper and terrazzo or stainless steel and wood: Sync enhances texture contrasts in the kitchen to unique effects. The resulting creative ensembles satisfy both virtuoso cooks and interior enthusiasts.
Sync is available as a pull-down single-lever mixer with spray function, or as a professional single-lever mixer. There is a wide choice of finishes – from Dark Chrome, to Brushed Platinum, to Champagne (22kt Gold).
About Dornbracht UK & Ireland
Dornbracht, with headquarters in Iserlohn, Germany, is a leading specialist for superior designer fittings and accessories for bathrooms, spas and kitchens. The company was founded in 1950 and today is internationally renowned among architects, designers and luxury consumers for its product portfolio in more than 125 markets. As an ultra-luxury brand, Dornbracht prides itself on its innovative technology and "Made in Germany" manufacturing standards which are made possible by state-of-the-art production technologies and highly qualified employees. The brand is driven by its clearly defined Design Principles which ensure every product will remain timeless and relevant for generations to come, characteristics for which Dornbracht has achieved worldwide recognition.
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Tapping into the beauty of linen, Laon from Skopos offers up 22 chalky linen tones in a superb linen-look quality. Broadening the offer of Skopos flame retardant blackout fabrics, Laon brings natural matt texture to contract curtains. The distinctive texture of the woven face gives a natural variation in the colour and with a choice of calming blues, neutrals and soft greens, Laon provides a beautiful finishing touch for pelmets and windows and has an incredibly soft handle and elegant drape. Perfect for build to rent, hospitality and other commercial environments. Laon provides 100% blackout, without the need for curtain lining.
The collection is offered as wide-width, for easy and quick curtain make-up for contract windows. 100% Polyester with FR backing, 4 pass blackout, the fabric is washable at 30 degrees and achieves UK, European and IMO standards for fire retardancy.
Skopos also offers a comprehensive range of FR blackout (and dimout) roller blinds, available in a wide range of colours, with printed options for further choice.
Blackout curtains and blinds, alongside expert fitting, provide a complete blackout solution for areas such as bedrooms and cinema rooms, where light obscurity is vital for complete relaxation.
The Skopos team offer a full service or fabric only option, providing choice for our customers, with expertise in design, make-up (curtains, cushions and bedding), fitting and installation. Skopos Fabrics Ltd are dedicated to design, service and best performance.
Samples and shade-cards of Laon are available immediately. All colours available as a stocked item.
About Skopos Fabrics Ltd
Skopos has over 50 year's experience of supplying innovative statement fabrics and soft furnishings into flagship hotels, marine interiors and other commercial spaces. Working globally with designers and specifiers, the Skopos brand thrives on innovation. Skopos fabrics deliver on style but also meet the needs of customers looking for technical assurance and key attributes, such as acoustic options, impervious upholstery fabrics, antimicrobial and blackout; providing a fabric-only, or made-to-measure and installation service. Accredited as a Carbon Neutral organisation in 2023, sustainable operations go hand in hand with the development of new recycled products and the use of local suppliers.
The Myers Touch, renowned for its award-winning kitchen designs and commitment to brand-partner quality, is delighted to introduce its partnership with ADL Design, a leading Italian brand which specialises in the design and manufacturing of contemporary glass, wood, and aluminium-framed doors and room dividers.
The partnership enables their design team to offer a variety of modern door systems and privacy solutions in a range of styles and finishes in an open-plan interior plan. The ADL Design collection seamlessly blends aesthetics with functionality, allowing designers to unify open-plan kitchen-living spaces in a dynamic, flowing manner while optimising natural light within the home.
ADL Designs’ contemporary collection offers 14 different types of door openings and room dividers including sliding systems, pull and internal wall sliding doors, swing doors, pivot hinge doors, folding opening systems, glass, and aluminium flush doors. Customers can explore studio showcases of the door systems and view finish samples at their Winchester studio.
For example, their range of sliding and hinged door models flexible room dividers have the advantage of buffering room acoustics due to their double glass design which is the ideal solution for creating a defined kitchen space, wine room, home gym or office within an open plan living scheme without compromising on natural light and connectivity. Additionally, for those looking for contemporary, swing doors their ‘Tesa’ flush door is the ideal solution for sectioning hidden kitchen spaces such as boot rooms, utility rooms or walk-in larder spaces.
For visual transparency in open-space spaces, their ‘Mies’ double-glazed partition system available in a range of different finishes is designed to be a continuous glass wall which allows light to stream into the surrounding space. The system also adds a greater perception of space to a home as the door system retains visual flow and connectivity in a home, whilst also creating distinct zones, so the illusion of a larger, more open area can be achieved.
For a streamlined look, the ADL Design ‘Mitica’ glass door system is ideal for defining yet separating functional spaces in a home such as a kitchen and living spaces. The sliding pocket doors in this collection are available as both single and double panels, with a pull handle in the upright rod to close the recessed door which can fully recede into a wall when in use.
The ADL Design ‘Deco’ sliding door design, which can be seen in The Myers Touch studio featured as a divider on their own-brand Möbelife kitchen display, is an attractive door solution which acts as a striking moving wall. Fully customisable in terms of size and finish, the ‘Deco’ design is available in a range of glass with features such as internal mesh, texture, transparent or frosted, and its range of aluminium geometric frame options is the ideal choice for those looking to bring a touch of industrial-style chic to their home.
Their ’Line’ screen divider is ideal for large open-plan spaces and perfect for those kitchen spaces that are created to have a ‘broken-plan’ kitchen layout, as it offers designers the flexibility to close spaces off, create privacy or provide sound insulation when other activities are taking place at the same time such as entertaining, relaxing, studying or cooking.
About The Myers Touch
We are The Myers Touch, award-winning interior architects and designers who specialise in creating luxury kitchen living spaces. Our goal is to enrich your life through the creation of an exceptional kitchen space that reflects your practical, aesthetic and emotional aspirations. We believe every kitchen should contain elements of beauty, efficiency and personalisation – a place that expresses Light, Space and Laughter for you.
Are you an up-and-coming designer? A current student or recent graduate in design, architecture or similar? Introducing We Build Marvels: an open design competition by RAK Ceramics.
RAK Ceramics, founded in 1989 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the biggest ceramic brands in the world – selling 118 million square metres of tiles and 5.7 million pieces of sanitaryware per year. RAK Ceramics helps to build marvels, with its products featuring in some of the most iconic buildings in the world, from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai to the 02 Arena in London.
This competition encourages entrants to celebrate that prestige through a creative design proposal.
- Put together a design proposal for a physical piece of art that you will make, using products from the RAK Ceramics Surfaces catalogue and/or Bathroom catalogue. - The artwork size must not exceed 1m wide x 2m tall. - The theme of the artwork must be inspired by ‘We Build Marvels’ and RAK Ceramics would like it to celebrate the origins of the brand. - Make sure the proposal is detailed and demonstrates originality, innovation and creativity. - Submit your design proposal using the online form by 12th April 2024.
RAK Ceramics will announce three finalists on 12th April 2024. If you’re a finalist, you’ll be sent the proposed materials and will have a 4-week window to make your art. You’ll then be invited to bring your art to the RAK Ceramics Design Hub before Clerkenwell Design Week (21st to 23rd May 2024).
The winner will be chosen during the event and the winning piece will be displayed in the window for three months. In addition, the winner will receive £1,000, with 2nd place getting £300 and 3rd place getting £200.
1. All entrants must be aged 18 years or above. 2. All entrants must be UK-based. 3. All entrants must be either a current student in further education or someone who has graduated within the last year. 4. Entrants cannot be associated with RAK Ceramics in any way. 5. All entries to be submitted by 12th April 2024 via the online form. 6. The judges are looking for an original idea in the proposal. Please do not submit a piece of work that is a copy of another artist’s image. 7. You can use other materials for your art, but RAK Ceramics products must be predominantly used and celebrated. 8. By entering this competition and if chosen as a finalist, you must be able to transport your piece of art to the RAK Ceramics Design Hub in London before Clerkenwell Design Week 2024 – and agree to it being on display. It will also be photographed for promotional purposes, such as social media.
About RAK Ceramics Ltd
RAK Ceramics products feature in some of the most iconic buildings in the world. Known for a wide product range and the ability to produce bespoke solutions for both small and large scale projects, RAK Ceramics enable clients to bring their ideas to life. They respect, inspire, improve and deliver; today, tomorrow, no matter the ambition, no matter the challenge, RAK Ceramics take care of all the details, so you don’t have to. Their passion and expertise combined with a careful attention to detail means they can provide you with a range of integrated ceramics solutions, allowing you freedom to be creative and plenty of room for imagination.
In 2023, Marmo were invited to supply and install the Venetian Plaster finishes for the Louis Vuitton store in Heathrow’s Terminal 3. This was an exciting opportunity for us, and one of our most bespoke projects to date.
For this project, the client was specifying Venetian Plaster as an alternative to wallpaper, due to the strict fire regulations in place at Heathrow Airport. We were therefore tasked with creating Venetian Plaster finishes to replicate several wallpaper samples provided by the client, utilising innovative tools and application techniques in order to meet the project’s unique design requirements.
One of the finishes specified for the store ceiling was an adaptation of Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram canvas. This was a complex effect to replicate, requiring a custom stencil, a bespoke colour match, and application of two contrasting Venetian Plaster finishes, our Marmorino Spatula and Pitted Venetian Plaster.
Alongside this stencilled design, we created a several other bespoke samples including a glossy wave finish, a raked finish, a brushed metallic finish, and a finish replicating the effect of embossed metal, each specified for various wall areas and accent panels throughout the store.
Our works were phased over three months, from June to September 2023. The accent panels were delivered to our workshop in Epsom to be coated, whilst the remainder of the works were completed on site during night shifts. The ceiling design was particularly labour-intensive, involving the application of 175 sheets of vinyl stencil and the manual removal of 72,000 vinyl petals! The team worked tirelessly to meet tight deadlines, and the final phase of the installation was completed whilst the store was open and trading. Despite facing significant challenges, this was a hugely rewarding project to be involved with, and the results were remarkable.
As we reflect on this extraordinary project, we are reminded of what a privilege it is to collaborate with iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, and we look forward to many more successful partnerships in the future.
About Marmo Surface Finishes
Marmo Surface Finishes are a renowned polished plaster company specialising in Venetian Polished Plaster interior applications and Decorative surface finishes, predominantly operating throughout London and Surrey as well as the U.K's major cities. Our experience spans all sectors such as hi-end residential and commercial projects including retail environments, restaurants, bars and office interior spaces. We work alongside some of London's and the U.K's major construction companies as well as award winning interior designers and architects creating stunning Venetian Polished Plaster interiors that we are extremely proud of. Our work speaks for itself.
Luxury brass hardware and accessories manufacturer, Armac Martin, has introduced a new brand identity to celebrate 95 years of British manufacturing.
The fourth-generation family business, which has been expertly crafting the highest quality products in Birmingham since 1929, has unveiled the latest evolution of its brand with a new look and feel across all touchpoints.
This includes a refreshed website, a redesigned finish box featuring four distinct new finishes, the release of its 2024/25 product guide, and a debut annual edition of its interior lookbook, The Journal.
A contemporary monogram and complementary colour palette have been thoughtfully designed to highlight the character and warmth of the brand, whilst also reflecting Armac Martin’s longstanding commitment to crafting the highest quality brass products for the defining details.
Central to the rebrand is a new and intuitive categorisation of Armac Martin’s extensive portfolio of collections and finishes, which offers a simplified framework to easily specify and order its products, designs and finishes across different styles and price points.
The three overarching categories include Signature, Speciality, and Luxe, each reflecting the level of processes and skills required to expertly craft each product and finish.
Richard McGrail, CEO of Armac Martin, said: “We are extremely proud of our heritage, which has paved the way for the exciting new chapter that we are embarking on.
“The longstanding loyalty of our customers has been integral to our continued growth over the last 95 years, and we look forward to receiving their feedback on our new brand identity over the coming weeks.”
About Armac Martin
Armac Martin design and manufacture some of the world’s finest brass cabinet hardware, for the world's finest interiors. Established in 1929 in Birmingham, England. Armac Martin's reputation is built on quality from skills passed down from generation to generation. Every product is designed in-house, with meticulous attention given to every detail to ensure that our commitment to design and quality is met time and time again. Our extensive range is available in 21 plated and patinated finishes.
Barry Smith, Design Director at Calibre Climate, has given his insights into the industry. Calibre Climate design and deliver integrated air conditioning systems to high-end residential properties. We enable beautiful, quiet indoor climates as a complete end-to-end solution through our unique approach of consultancy, installation and aftercare.
Commencing trading in the luxury property market in 1975, Calibre has been supplying visually discreet air conditioning systems to private residences for years.
Recognising a need in this market for air conditioning systems that could meet exacting technical performance levels and low noise requirements whilst being sympathetic to the highly curated interior design schemes, we focused exclusively on prime residential projects, which is now our specialism. In 2023 alone, we completed over two hundred design and installation projects in luxury residential properties across the UK.
Our unique approach commencing with design consultancy enables any introduction of air conditioning to a property to be discussed, planned and visualised both technically and aesthetically right from the earliest design stages. This ensures that the finished result delivered will be exactly as required by the client and interior designer, and eliminates unexpected design or cost variations during the build stage. We bring ideas, samples, visualisations and budgets to the table in the earliest pre-project discussions, enabling the client and wider design team to make informed decisions, even before planning application stage. Our service comprehensively covers the six core elements of every prime residential air conditioning design – the clients’ requirements, legal/planning requirements, aesthetic requirements, technical requirements, sound reduction requirements, and control requirements.
In an ordinary residential property, air conditioning is rarely an element where its interior design impact is considered – but in the high-end residence, detail is everything. Integrating air conditioning into the wider building design enables concealment of equipment built for functionality rather than aesthetics, minimising its visual impact on a space. Designing it into a property where every architectural element and interior finish is meticulously planned requires extensive experience and technical expertise.
We meet with the interior designer and the end client at the earliest stage of the project to discuss their requirements and establish interior aesthetic intent. Balancing these with technical performance requirements, we are then able to develop a highly integrated, bespoke solution for the property, blending with the interior design scheme to minimise visual impact on the space.
Firstly, we are very pleased to announce that one of our favourite projects from last year, a townhouse in Holland Park, has been shortlisted for the RIBA London Awards for 2024.
We also took on an interior-led design and installation, retrofitting air conditioning throughout a large, occupied country mansion in Berkshire. With fourteen thousand sq.ft of finished property spanning four floors, we were able to work closely with the interior designer to bring together a number of unique and beautifully discreet design features to compliment the original finishes. An amazing project that’s been great to see come together.
Visible grilles are becoming less and less popular, with a greater emphasis on highly integrated and fully concealed solutions for the optimum aesthetic finishes. There is an increased demand for innovative methods of concealing equipment and air terminals, for example within coffered ceilings, integrated into cornice detailing and shadow gaps.
As homeowners and designers alike become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, we are noticing a greater focus on sustainable and eco-friendly cooling solutions within property design. Constant innovation and technological advances will also have an impact on interior design.
Our SBID membership is high on the list so far – we’re enjoying delivering our CPD to SBID members and designers, and engaging with them through networking sessions.
Our SBID accreditation reflects our commitment to designing innovative, high-quality climate control solutions, and allows us to network with other industry professionals for constant improvement of our offering. It gives us an opportunity to showcase our work and keep up with industry trends, as well as supporting designers in the luxury property market through our CPD.
About Calibre Climate
Calibre is London's air conditioning design, installation and aftercare specialist for prime residential properties. From sound surveys and planning applications to integrating equipment in joinery with beautifully discreet air terminals, we design and deliver quiet, concealed, luxury air conditioning systems tailored specifically to the interior design requirements of each client and property. Our unique consulting process, engaging with the wider design team from concept stage, enables end-to-end delivery of technically astute solutions that blend seamlessly with the architectural and aesthetic intent and character of each individual property.
In a remarkable transformation during the course of 2023, the owners of a Victorian-era apartment in Cadogan Square, London undertook the ambitious project of merging two separate dwellings into a single, stylish residence. With busy lifestyles involving frequent international travel, they recognised the importance of a healthy routine in order to maintain peak physical condition, and enlisted the expertise of Paragon Studio, based in Bath, UK, to design a gym space that would seamlessly blend sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality.
The challenge was substantial, as the designated gym area was formerly a living room situated in the corner of the building so optimising space and functionality was paramount. Ben Walter, Account Manager at Paragon Studio, commented on the project's scope, noting, "This was an ambitious project; the gym was previously a living room! It’s located in the corner of the building and now enjoys a dual aspect view. The client sought a calm and modern space to exercise in and was encouraged by our extensive and diverse use of natural materials."
Paragon Studio's brief involved not only designing a stylish and modern gym but also ensuring practicality and space efficiency. The team designed and created their first triple wall storage unit, innovatively engineered to hold both dumbbells and kettlebells, addressing the need to save space wherever possible and maximise the gym's floor space.
The triple wall storage unit has since become a staple in the Paragon Studio range, providing a vertical, stylish storage solution for many of their popular equipment pieces as well as creating a visual talking point. The studio's commitment to sustainability extended beyond design aesthetics, as they carefully selected low-impact machines to minimise noise and disturbance to other residences within the building.
The newly designed gym boasts a curated selection of high-quality equipment, including a 10-pair set of Paragon Studio’s award-winning Diabolo Dumbbells. These stunning free weights offer unparalleled levels of customisation and were the result of eight years of experience in the prime property and superyacht sectors, researching what makes the perfect dumbbell. Having recently conducted a full Lifecycle Analysis (LCA), they have also been certified as the world’s first Carbon Negative dumbbells, with all emissions annually offset plus ten per cent.
Alongside the dumbbells, the gym also includes four Paragon kettlebells, a TRX system, an exquisite leather Paragon Studio designer punch bag with matching boxing gloves, leather medicine balls, a Concept2 rowing machine, an adjustable bench, and various yoga accessories crafted from environmentally sourced and biodegradable cork. Not only does cork provide strong structural support whilst working out, it also maintains its natural warmth and provides a naturally non-slip surface. A NoHrd Slim Beam, in oak, completes the Knightsbridge gym with a smart and compact cable training facility. The cleverly curated use of natural oak, stainless steel, and leather throughout the space has created a luxurious and cohesive feel to the gym's aesthetic.
From the initial commissioning of the design brief to the completed installation, the entire project was realised within a remarkable four-month timeframe. The finished gym stands as a testament to the seamless integration of beauty and functionality, offering a blueprint for creating a home gym that is both visually stunning and fully equipped for a comprehensive workout experience.
About Gym Marine Yachts & Interiors
Gym Marine Yachts & Interiors is a specialist wellness design for the superyacht and prime property sectors. Their experienced team have an unrivalled understanding of the complexities of gym and space design, both on land and at sea. This, together with a vast experience in the health and wellness industry, helps create an unbeatable service.
Whether outdoors or indoors, Riviera Home TufStrand handwoven carpets bring comfort and luxury that lasts.
Renowned for its fine-quality handwoven carpets, Riviera Home has launched two new ranges made from premium TufStrand yarn. Suitable for outdoor and indoor use, TufStrand is an all-weather yarn that’s stain-resistant and bleach cleanable. Soft enough to be comfortable and luxurious indoors yet durable and practical enough to resist the elements, the yarn brings unity between indoor and outdoor living. Thanks to TufStrand, these new carpets are protected from household spills, easy to clean and represent great value for money.
Part of Riviera Home’s Italian inspired collection, Livorno is handwoven from 100% TufStrand polypropylene. Incorporating two distinct designs: a wilton textured basketweave and a flatwoven herringbone, each in two complementary duo-tone colourways, Livorno adds elegance to any home. With Livorno, homes can seamlessly flow from open plan living to outdoor relaxing with the comfort and luxury that comes with Riviera Home.
Medina is also from Riviera Home’s Italian collection, this time presenting wilton textured basketweave and flatwoven herringbone designs in three multi-tonal colour combinations. The carpet’s rich design makes it a statement in style and the multi-tonal yarn also helps to disguise dirt and spills more readily before cleaning.
Kuldeep Singla, chairman, Riviera Home UK, says:
“The growth in outdoor living spaces in the UK has seen homeowners look for ways to add layers of comfort to terraces and balconies and to complement relaxed seating areas and entertaining. Outdoor rugs can achieve this, but these outdoor spaces are often connected by doors that open right up, so there’s a natural flow inside to out. With rugs it can be hard to find complementary finishes between indoors and out.
“Our 100% TufStrand carpets bring fine-quality, luxury and comfort indoors, but as TufStrand is weather resistant and durable, they can add all this to the outdoors as well, and create a sense of unity that make these spaces feel completely connected.”
Both Medina and Livorno are available in a five-metre width to accommodate larger rooms. Featuring Action Back for easier fitting indoors and out, the carpets are colourfast and resistant to fungal growth. These 100% TufStrand carpets are now ready for stores on Riviera Home’s standard Multi Display Unit.
This spring will also see, Riviera Home offer Livorno and Medina as bespoke sized farbicated rugs with taped edges.
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.
There is nothing quite like a velvet sofa for bringing a touch of glamour and luxury to a scheme. From velvet sofas in whimsical prints – witness the naïve quality of Linwood's gorgeous Songbird design pictured here – to arresting pieces in jewel-like plains or the laid-back elegance of crushed velvet sofas, these pieces not only elevate a room but also add all-important comfort and texture. Read on to discover their endless versatility, as well as some handy tips for keeping velvet sofas pristine…
Velvet is a popular choice for some of the most stylish sofas, and for good reason: ‘By choosing velvet customers can ensure that they are getting a durable, comfortable and luxurious sofa that will elevate their interiors,’ comments Jane Susan Upholstery. ‘Linwood’s velvets are, in our experience as makers of upholstered items and drapery, the best in terms of ‘ease of use’ which inevitably leads to the most exquisite, finished products.’ Due to its extreme softness, velvet is an incredibly inviting option for a classic sofa or even a corner sofa bed. It holds colour and pattern like no other fabric, with the texture of the pile interplaying with light to enhance the design and colours: witness the beauty of our Jungle Rumble printed velvet, whose jewel-like hues are intensified by the fabric’s luxurious pile. And as well as its tactile and visual qualities, velvet is also a highly practical choice for a sofa. Most of Linwood’s velvet fabrics are stain resistant and all have a high Martindale rub count (a measure of how much abrasion a fabric can take before it shows distress), making them well suited to busy households that don’t want to compromise on style.
The trend for distressed velvet sofas goes hand in hand with our desire for homes that exude a sense of comfort and informality. Tactile and cosy, they bring a timeworn quality to a space, giving the impression of a décor that has evolved over the years. Our Hali printed velvet is a perfect example: inspired by a vintage kilim rug, it combines pleasing textural qualities with an innovative printing technique that captures the feel of a gently faded textile. It marries beautifully with the classic style of the sofa, which in turn teams well with an eclectic mix of pieces that include an antique side table and a mid-century style oil painting. Effortless luxury at its best.
The beauty of velvet is that it complements any number of sofa styles, from sleek, minimal shapes to traditional designs. Velvet can be shown off to stunning effect on a curvy 1950s-style piece yet will look equally glorious on a classic tufted sofa, where buttoning allows the pile to catch the light in different ways. And whilst it is of course important to consider how your choice of velvet sofa will look in the scheme, it is just as crucial to think about how it will be used: an elegant, streamlined design might be perfect for a room that is primarily intended for formal gatherings, but it will probably not be ideal if it is destined for the household to pile onto for a movie night. With its turned legs and soft scrolled arms, the sofa pictured here is a classic piece that lends itself well to traditional settings whilst offering a good level of comfort. The style of the piece is perfectly complemented by our Chora printed velvet; a timeless design inspired by a traditional Turkish kilim. The monochromatic colour palette makes this print particularly versatile – perfect for bringing a touch of pattern to a neutral scheme.
It may well be that you already have a scheme in place when choosing your new velvet sofa, in which case there will be several factors to consider, from the colour palette of the existing décor to the style of the pieces you already own. The striking, angular shape of this sofa fits well with the room’s bold joinery, while the arresting abstract print – Kichana, which is based on a Peruvian document – picks up on the warm terracotta colours of the walls, lampshade and side table, as well as the aqua accents of the accessories and the ottoman’s velvet stripe (Cosmic, our versatile ombré design). Conversely, you can use the design of a velvet sofa to inform an entirely new décor: let the colour options and style of the print – or simply the colour, if you are choosing a plain velvet – guide your choice of pieces, from accessories to cushions, throws and rugs. And when it comes to selecting more fabrics for the scheme, don’t be afraid to introduce different textures: velvet sofas team beautifully with a variety of designs, from linens to wools, silks to leather.
Velvet sofas fit into a huge array of rooms, bringing a touch of luxury to living spaces, from sitting rooms and snugs to bedrooms and the more unexpected areas of the home such as a study or even a hallway. Velvet sofas can bring a bohemian air to a space – crushed velvet sofas are particularly good for creating a sense of laid-back luxury – or a resolutely modern feel: think a clean-lined contemporary sofa in plain velvet in a rich, jewel-like hue. Velvet sofas can be used to blend in or stand out, this conversation sofa being a good example of the latter. The arresting abstract velvet, Kimono Dreams, complements the circular design of the sofa, which serves as a centre piece for the unusual marble floor. A luxurious design that befits the grandeur of the space.
Velvet sofas have come a long way since the days when they were the preserve of formal rooms forbidden to children and pets. All of Linwood’s velvets are contract grade, making them an ideal choice for any number of room settings. When it comes to maintaining the velvet, Linwood has two very different velvet “families”. Our Omega, Alpha, Tango and Cosmos velvets are woven with durable polyester velvet piles and can be washed if you have loose covers or wiped with a wet wipe to remove spills and stains on fixed upholstery (pictured here is our Omega III velvet, which has the added advantage of being made from 60 per cent recycled polyester). Velvets with 100 per cent cotton piles or a mix of cotton and viscose, such as our Velvet Wonderland collection, are dry clean only and we recommend finding a dry cleaner that is familiar with velvet to get it returned in pristine shape. Whichever type of velvet you choose, we suggest regular maintenance to keep the fabric looking good. Once a week, give it a light vacuum with an upholstery attachment or use a soft hand brush, making sure to hoover or brush in the direction of the pile. This will get rid of any dust or fluff that has settled on the fabric’s surface.
If you have been hesitant about taking the plunge with a velvet sofa, we hope you are now ready to embrace this supremely elegant option. Choose the sofa shape and the velvet carefully and you will have a sophisticated, versatile piece that you will enjoy for years to come. Here’s to luxuriating in the comfort of your perfect velvet sofa…
About Linwood
Our Hampshire-based family business puts excellence at the heart of everything we do. We straddle the worlds of creativity and innovation to produce distinctive collections of fabrics, wallpapers and cushions that are bursting with fresh ideas, while retaining the quality and artistry we are renowned for.
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