Riviera Home is launching three new woven wool ranges for 2024, bringing homeowners exquisite style and the unmistakable quality of handmade carpets.
Known for fine quality natural carpets, Riviera Home is growing its collection of handmade wool carpets for 2024 with three new styles inspired by the beauty and history of Italy, which use texture and yarn to create a unique sense of luxury.
Siena is a flat-weave textured carpet that uses 100% undyed wool. To create the stunning texture, Riviera Home’s skilful master weavers intertwine contrasting undyed yarns. In three elegant colourways, every Siena carpet is a testament to the art of handcrafting and the natural beauty of undyed wool.
Sharing similar Wilton textured weaves, Genoa and Turin show how wool yarns can be used to create captivating and luxurious contemporary designs.
In Genoa, Riviera Home has used the richness and luxury of 100% New Zealand wool for a carpet of classic elegance. To create its striking texture, Riviera’s artisans weave an intricate textured diamond pattern in a choice of four colours. Turin uses the same 100% New Zealand wool, this time in a textured basketweave design. The yarn’s vibrancy of colour and the skills of Riviera Home’s weavers bring a luxurious texture that exudes sophistication, again in four neutral and timeless colours.
Kuldeep Singla, chairman, Riviera Home UK, says: “Our weavers have created something truly extraordinary with these new carpets and they clearly show the attention to detail and quality that comes with handmaking our carpets. Wool is such a wonderful yarn to make carpets with and we know how to get the best out of it to achieve unique textures that separate our carpets from the ordinary.”
With the resilience and recovery of wool and the handmade quality of Riviera Home, investing in Siena, Genoa and Turin will see homes enjoy an enduring, luxury carpet that is undeniably refined. All three designs come in a five-metre width and are suitable for heavy domestic use. 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.
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Pedrali, the leading Italian company that produces contemporary furniture for contract and residential, has recently inaugurated its new workspaces at the Headquarters in Mornico Al Serio (Bergamo). The project, named Pedrali Collaborative Space, was designed by the Milanese architectural firm Park Associati, which in 2022 oversaw the renovation and expansion of the company restaurant.
From the very name - Pedrali Collaborative Space - it is clear that the guiding principle behind the design was to create a contemporary, dynamic and flexible workspace, developed through the modulation of an innovative layout that focuses on the comfort of the people who use these spaces everyday.
The last few years have been rethinking the workspaces with new cross, hybrid areas that move away from the static nature of traditional offices. The modern workspace is no longer just a work area, but a community space that fosters company culture and encourages interaction, sharing, and collaboration. The result is a mix of functional areas that serve as a setting for Pedrali products which, placed inside a neutral container, are displayed and used in perfect harmony with the architectural volume thanks to the refined selection of models, fabrics and colours.
Within the Pedrali Collaborative Space well-being and innovation go hand in hand. The furnishings can be customised and equipped with high-end mechanisms capable of adapting to the user. This adaptability is not just about comfort but also about giving individuals full control and management of their workspace, improving emotional quality, stimulating creativity and teamwork, and responding to the demands of the digital age.
The evolution of work dynamics in recent years has led to a transformation of the workspaces into a place for social interaction, idea generation and community building. Its purpose is to facilitate collaboration, creativity, and learning. Fluidity and sharing are therefore identified as the key concepts that animate the 560 sqm of the Pedrali Collaborative Space, divided into three main areas: the contemporary workspace with multiple workstations, the meeting areas and the breakout rooms.
The terracotta-colour, a common thread linking the new workspaces to the company restaurant project, catches the attention of those who cross the threshold of the entrance to the workspaces building, whose access area is outlined by a double-height space, providing a sense of verticality thanks to the elegant and majestic presence of 25 Isotta pendant lamps by Basaglia Rota Nodari.
The smart office is characterised by 32 workstations spread over the entire floor, defined by the practical Arki-Table Adjustable Desk, which guarantees maximum comfort and ergonomics thanks to its heightadjustable top. The components of office furniture are evolving to achieve better performance, with the primary goal of enhancing people's well-being. Through a mobile application installed on smartphones, users can save personalized settings for the Arki-table adjustable desk and set personal wellness goals, allowing for a combination of standing and sitting work.
A sound absorbing panel upholstered in fabric can divide the space between different workstations. Accompanying the Arki-Table adjustable Desk is Polar, designed by Jorge Pensi Design Studio, a task chair that ensures maximum customization in terms of ergonomics. Characterised by an organic form Polar is designed to adapt to the human body, ensuring the well-being of its users. A dynamic object with a clear identity, it can fit into a variety of settings such as workspaces and multipurpose spaces. The chair guarantees excellent comfort thanks to its weight-activated, synchro-tilt mechanism that is able to regulate the degree of tilting autonomously according to the user’s body weight. The backrest consists of an injected-moulded nylon frame with a breathable, flexible polyester mesh for a sense of transparency. The injection moulded polypropylene support at the lumbar area may be adjusted to the user's needs. The seat, in polyurethane foam, can move via a special mechanism that allows its depth to be adjusted. Polar is available as a chair or armchair. The latter features minimalist armrests that can be adjusted in height, depth and width, and can be orientated to suit the user’s needs. The performance of the mechanisms makes the Polar armchair conform to type A of the UNI EN 1335-1:2020 standard, ensuring ergonomics principals and wellbeing in the work environments. Boxie, the wheeled storage system by Claudio Dondoli & Marco Pocci, completes the space.
During the working day, meetings are crucial moments that can affect the quality of projects, providing opportunities for enrichment and comparison. The Pedrali Collaborative Space hosts three well-organized meeting rooms, delimited by glass walls that harmoniously allow for dialogue while maintaining the privacy required by the context. In the central area, two rooms feature the linearity and rigour of the Arki-Table, surrounded by the Nym Soft armchairs by CMP Design in the first setting and the Laja armchairs, designed by Alessandro Busana, in the second - both with swivel bases. Elinor collection by Claudio Bellini characterises the third and last meeting area: the task armchair Elinor low back, with its dynamism, flexibility and attention to user’s well-being, synthesises the different attitudes and ways of experiencing the workspace of the future, is placed around the Elinor table, a multitasking product characterised by premium aesthetic credentials that meets the needs of a constantly-changing market. Elinor low back, characterised by a lower backrest and sinuous lines, is designed to seamlessly fit both in meeting rooms and executive offices. This task chair has an elegant height-adjustable base in die-cast aluminium. A weight-activated synchro-tilt mechanism integrated in the upholstered seat allows the tilting to be self-regulated according to the user’s body weight, ensuring that the back is kept in the most comfortable position. Other strong points of Elinor low back are its comfort and body hugging feeling, thanks to the polyurethane injected foam on both seat and back. A light, slimline, strong armrest in die-cast aluminium defines the base of the backrest with its fluid line, accentuating the attention to detail that characterises this collection.
Ypsilon Connect by Jorge Pensi Design Studio is a standout feature in all three spaces. This elegant and functional free standing, sound absorbing space divider offers extensive customisation possibilities, defining new layouts and managing spaces more effectively, adapting workspaces to corporate training or meeting room situations. On each side of the panel it is possible to add accessories such as whiteboards, shelves, coat hangers or, thanks to a special provision for the passage of sockets, enable the attachment of a screen.
To promote social interaction, the demand for breakout areas has grown, providing spaces for relaxation or breaks with colleagues. Toa table by Robin Rizzini, lightweight and minimalist, is characterised by a solid die-cast aluminium frame in a fluid geometric design, suitable to support large sized tops. Moreover, being endlessly modular in length and width, it’s the perfect choice for workspaces, shaping different settings such as “light” offices and executive rooms. Inside the Pedrali Collaborative Space, surrounded by Nemea chairs by CMP Design, Toa presents itself as a large convivial table with the dual function of a break or informal meeting space.
A more intimate area is provided by Buddyhub by Busetti Garuti Redaelli, a functional and efficient furnishing element, characterised by a wrap-around, sound absorbing panel, available in two heights, that envelops the seat in a sort of enclosed niche. Buddyhub is available as an armchair or sofa, and can be used as a quiet, sound-proofed temporary workstation. It is created to meet the needs of open spaces typical of a contemporary working environment. It is also possible to place two units opposite each other and to join them by means of a panel, thus creating a four-seat box suitable for an informal meeting, a phone booth or a break out area. The functionality of this element is further enhanced by the possibility of adding sockets both to the armchair and box versions, so as to be able to connect a charger. In this case, it is also possible to provide for a screen holder, a peninsula table or a shelf. The soft lines and clean design of the Buddy coffee tables by Busetti Garuti Redaelli add the finishing touches to the space.
In the Pedrali Collaborative Space special attention was paid to selected materials. The staircase ramps and the handrails are covered in natural oak, the same material used for the entire flooring of the workspace, which is floating and radiant with wooden square tiles. Another relevant issue in an open-plan workspace is the sound insulation. Running along the entire perimeter of the architectural structure - both along the glass and masonry walls - is a system of acoustic curtains. These curtains not only serve to soundproof the space but also allow for the management of natural light, creating a harmonious atmosphere and contributing to the perception of a neutral and homogeneous envelope. Also on the ceiling, a system of sound absorbing panels on tracks fosters concentration by creating an acoustically protected workspace.
Energy efficiency is a relevant focus in the project by Park Associati. First of all, a conspicuous thermal and acoustic insulation has been applied to the ceiling of the space to be heated. Secondly, a structurally integrated radiant system has been installed in the floating floor, providing both winter heating and summer cooling. This system is coupled with controlled mechanical ventilation for air exchange and summer dehumidification. The necessary thermal and cooling energy is produced by a heat pump with high seasonal efficiency. With a view to constantly improving the company in the wake of sustainability, the energy required to power these new workspaces is also generated by photovoltaic panels installed on the factories.
Inside the Pedrali Headquarters in Mornico al Serio, the Pedrali Collaborative Space stands for a place for exchanges and comparisons where well-being and comfort blend seamlessly with the fluidity and openness of the spaces: the same spaces that, every day, host everyday scenes from the Pedrali community.
About Pedrali
Pedrali is an Italian company that produces contemporary chairs, tables, furnishings and lamps for contract and residential. The collection is the result of a careful and accurate research aimed to create functional and versatile industrial design products made of metal, plastic materials, wood as well as upholstery. Furniture exclusively manufactured in Italy through a design process which combines tradition and innovation, engineering excellence and creative brilliance. The “100% Made in Italy” philosophy becomes real through the internal production in the headquarters of Mornico al Serio (Bergamo), where the automated warehouse designed by architect Cino Zucchi is based, and in the wooden furniture factory in Manzano (Udine).
Learn to mix, match and maintain vibrant linen upholstery for a lively home decor…
Linen fabric is synonymous with quiet luxury – the deliciously muted interiors’ trend that has been hot on interior designers’ lips of late. Yet, this much-loved and versatile furnishing textile also has a confident and gregarious alter ego; one that leans wholeheartedly towards playful and high-spirited colour. With confidence and design at its heart, it's no less luxurious but oh-so joyful.
Colourful linen fabric – with the tactile texture we know and love – holds pattern beautifully and thus by default is a quality choice for upholstered sofas, chairs, ottomans, headboards and other soft furnishings throughout the home.
Here we explore why to choose colourful linen for upholstery, deep-dive into the perfect palette and reveal the art of mixing and matching patterns. Plus why colourful linen has top credentials for sustainability and durability.
There are three good reasons why interior designers reach for colourful linen upholstery fabric when building moodboards for their clients’ room schemes.
Firstly, dynamics. Vibrancy is the raison d’etre of a coloured upholstery pattern. From directional horizontal, vertical or wavy stripes to the liveliness of geometrics and spots or the sprightliness of organic-inspired florals and botanicals, these patterns bring untold interest and movement to the eye as shown here by Kala Emerald on a classic sofa.
Secondly, the colour of an upholstery fabric can transform a space’s atmosphere. Varying from deep and moody to light and airy, the breadth of choice is unparalleled and will be dictated by the form and function of the room.
And finally, durability. Linen is a sustainable and hardwearing textile that will last a lifetime.
Ask a psychologist about colour and they’ll tell you that in times of uncertainty, humans lean towards life-affirming hues in search of positivity and reassurance. When considering colourful upholstery fabric, mull over what colour tribe you fit into...
If you consider yourself a ‘classic maximalist’, for instance, you’ll naturally veer towards the dark grounds of inky indigo, dark claret, deep forest and domino black. By applying these choices to upholstery, you’ll put furniture front and centre in a space, making it feel dramatic and powerful.
Lovers of ‘modern country’, on the other hand, will dip into the soft and subtle cottage-style hues of garden green, rose pink and sky blue that will suit a casual armchair or decorative ottoman. While those that subscribe to ‘rustic luxe’ will tack towards the earthy tones of dark red and spicy orange. This palette will wrap a handcrafted piece of furniture, such as a loveseat in High Wire Jockey, with a resonant and grounding warmth.
Once you’ve established your hero colourway, you can start to hone what contrasting and complementary colours can combine with varying printed linen motifs to create interesting and exciting combinations. Check out the colour wheel and – with your style tribe in mind – consider themes such as Modern Vibrancy – where a collection of colours are layered confidently together (as shown here with Khiva Grass’s trellis design and Chitgar Marmalade’s spot). A Rustic Charm direction mingles a melange of florals with stripes. Eclectic bursts – introducing one pattern onto an accent chair, headboard or dining chairs – are also a fabulous way to infuse the excitement of colour into more neutral schemes.
When it comes to coordinating colourful patterns within the same space, it pays to follow established design rules. Choose one large-scale pattern for a hero piece of furniture that will act as the focal point in the room. Then balance with two to three other supporting small prints that will complement the colour theme. Keep to this cohesive thinking and you won’t overdo it.
A good example of this principle is shown here with Garden Gate Strawberry Mousse on the signature sofa leading the way to Maypole Peony on the ottoman and then other soft furnishings such as curtains in Hopscotch Frog and Buttons Pink Icing on cushions.
Sustainability is a hot topic in interiors and quite rightly so. We all want to be sure that redecoration and refurbishment is done with the planet in mind. That’s why linen is a low-impact upholstery choice – it’s one of the most inherently sustainable fabrics available. The flax plant, from which it is made, is grown organically in poor soil, is resilient to pests and requires no additional water other than rainwater. The resulting yarn is strong and made to last. Linwood’s pure linen fabrics have a ‘heavy domestic use’ rub count rating, making them suitable for all household pieces as well as light commercial use (the exception is Belleville collection of linen prints).
Look to Elba, a timeless linen collection of coloured and neutral plains, including ivory, that will ground schemes, or Small Prints II, an array of small-scale versatile patterns.
What other factors can help with choosing the right coloured upholstery for furniture? It pays to pause and consider your existing decor – wall colours, flooring, window treatments and layout – but also how much natural light enters the room itself.
Establish the orientation of the room. As a general rule of thumb, north-facing rooms are by nature darker and cooler and benefit from the warmer hues of yellows, oranges and pinks. South facing rooms receive good light and heat throughout the day but can suffer from glare and heat so look to cooler hues of blues and greens, such as Trapeze Miami on the living room suite shown above.
Follow these tips for preserving and keeping your linens at their best: - Protect colours from fading by keeping upholstered furniture away from direct sunlight, intense heat and excessive moisture. Drawing curtains, pulling blinds or positioning pieces carefully also helps. - Vacuum your upholstery on a regular basis to avoid dust and debris settling. - Spot cleaning and the use of proprietary products is best avoided as you could damage the fabric. - Seek out professional cleaning help for stain removal and hardcore cleaning.
Shopping for the right hues for upholstery fabric has never been easier. Use the filters online to sort your favourite colours and see the range of collections of patterns that are available. Order free samples to get the feel for the textile and check that you are on the right path. It’s also worthing making a visit to an interior design store to chat with staff and get their advice. Linwood’s showrooms in London and Ringwood are the recommended go-to for high-quality, colourful linens and excellent in-store guidance.
We hope we’ve encouraged you to take a bold approach to using coloured and statement upholstery fabrics in your next home décor project. Inspiring creativity and personal expression through colourful upholstery is what redecoration is all about so take time to research and understand how pattern can combine to elevate your home to the next level and give new life to inherited or tired furniture whether classic or contemporary in style.
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.
Porcelain and ceramics are the go-to surfaces for kitchens and bathrooms and now solutions for all spaces can be found in one dedicated resource, with the launch of the new Surfaces brochure for 2024 from RAK Ceramics.
RAK Ceramics gives porcelain perfection and limitless imagination with unique and inspiring products that realistically resemble natural materials. The new brochure, spanning 132 pages can be browsed in various ways – alphabetically, by look and by size – making it an important reference tool for retailers and designers whether seeking inspiration for their next project or to place an order with full specification details.
Style-wise the brochure features quality, highly durable porcelain surfaces that emulate the key trends in interior design, including marble, metal, concrete, stone and wood. These include Maximus slabs that provide seamless consistency when used over large areas such as feature walls.
For the kitchen, retailers can browse the RAK Ceramics countertop collection - the next generation of large format tiles that are versatile and highly technical, featuring through-body veining – while the range of ceramic wall tiles is just as innovative, meeting the latest trends and achieving original and eye-catching aesthetic results, with a wide range of structures and colours: from the latest pastel tones to the most intense material effects.
Surfaces for outdoor spaces also feature in the new brochure, with a range of sustainable and adaptable porcelain tiles suitable for redesigning and revamping gardens, patios, terraces or driveways.
The product guide includes technical features of each range, maintenance details and tile-laying recommendations. Download a copy of the RAK Ceramics Surfaces Brochure 2024 here or call 01730 237850 to request a printed copy.
About RAK Ceramics
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.
The new collection is one of substance, not only for the number of articles being presented, but also and above all for the way in which it probes a variety of topics. To spark the imagination, some ideas are closely associated with the course undertaken so far, while others are slightly more unexpected.
For Plain Classics, a small selection of velvets of incomparable quality. Two irresistible alpacas of the utmost softness and an intense luminous cotton that has no equal: three plains of great distinction that speak of pleasure and sumptuous beauty.
The exploration of Texturologie continues to be centred on light or natural colours but is also accompanied by some more pronounced chromatic statements. Mottled effects – quite distinct at times – recall the living matter of nature: tree barks, an undergrowth of moss and lichens, rocks, and even references to the animal kingdom. Another direction takes us on a foray into "Modern Crafts" to explore processes, textile experience and artisanal vocations: played out between textural curtains whose transparency adopts new forms, and fabrics for voluptuous seating projects.
The Contemporary Archives, poised between classical and contemporary, forge new roads but also focus more closely on familiar concepts that have already impassioned past research. Emotion, light, an elegance bordering on opulence, the reinvention of classical styles, the art of jacquard weaving: the road winds its way through the various spirits of the immortal tiger skin and soft enigmatic labyrinths; it passes through the geometric motifs of suit fabrics, historiated effects reminiscent of jewellery making, abstract revisitations of Japanese figurative art. In constant expansion is the branch of Contemporary Archives dedicated to the nuances of what is generally considered to be a non-colour but in fact is the synopsis of all others: the White Writings, an immersion of pronounced artistic fervour into the most textural and streaky of whites.
The Contemporary Archives comprise several new fire-retardant fabrics: with a particular focus on the bicoloured theme, but also and especially with an unmistakable aura of couture.
The magical formula of the entire collection remains unvaried: an innate curiosity to increase our knowledge of textile archetypes; a desire to grasp radically new intuitions; a rare “savoir-faire”, thanks to which ideas are transformed into fabric.
The exploration of the most captivating visual narrations pertaining to each period of the past, radically reinterpreted and innovated, is pursued with an eclectic and curious vocation.
Vivid and densely woven jacquard velvets interpret the tiger’s skin, the archetypal garment of royals and great leaders, naturalistically interpreted in a shade of deep orange.
How to avoid getting lost on entering a labyrinth with its myriad of blind alleys and secret passageways? This archaic and conceptual graphic motif, with its mere semblance of familiarity, lends itself to various interpretations that are almost bewildering. However, the labyrinth itself is inspired by Ariadne to draw a connective thread that becomes gradually more apparent.
A new foray into the "white on white" of White Writings is accompanied by various quotations, from the anarchistic doves guided by the spirit of Jean Arp to the tribal suggestions close to Keith Haring’s vision, or the soft neo-Picassian masks.
As a tribute to historiated artworks and the meticulous workmanship of goldsmiths, a lavish jacquard celebrates the luminosity of the most precious of metals. Ever fond of the “hidden side” of things, the Archives presents its alter ego, to which fil coupé regales three-dimensionality.
The journey continues through other suggestions and abstractions.
A soft geometric motif of couture inspiration is driven by a strong artisanal vocation; an impenetrable jacquard garden recalls the Oriental decorative language with its long bamboo canes, flying creatures and insects; an amazing tempest, interlaced by silky and lamé threads in a honan weave, contributes to enhancing the more abstract side of Japanese art.
The happiest possible conclusion of a tiger hunt: having fled its pursuers, triumphant, the tiger snuggles down on a sofa, or nestles between curtains that feel soft and cosy. This vividly coloured snug velvet interprets the jungle queen’s skin in its purest and most natural expression. The repetition of stripes scans the fabric rhythmically: the effect is more pronounced on large surfaces but just as appealing on smaller elements, where the stripe is the focal point.
A close-up view of a majestic creature. Its skin pattern is idealized, its stripes soften. The proud feline sheds its ferocity and welcomes cuddles. The sinuous lines of the stripe, conferring an overall rhythm, are the protagonists of a charming and lively jacquard velvet, together with the tiger’s unmistakable shade of orange. A hardwearing fabric with a soft and thick hand-feel.
The tigers grow in number as they make their way into an abstract jungle. The jacquard velvet is stage to a ferocious conflict between wild felines. The skins form a new pattern of blurred shapes, rich in movement. Stripes devoid of their natural sinuousness, eyes and curly tails are regenerated as ideograms of an enigmatic graphic texture.
The lustrous velvet of an animalier geometric motif, poised between the enticing atmospheres of a Twenties’ speakeasy, the stylized language of the Cubists, the American street art of Haring and Basquiat, jazz and hop hop. Between the threads of a jacquard endowed with personality and silky luminosity, a multitude of suggestions generate an impromptu jam session. The large irregular labyrinth - an archaic motif that has found its way into countless art forms - is interpreted in a bicoloured version whose chromatic inspirations range from nature to pop.
A bold luminous jacquard, inspired by mid-century Informalism. Gesture, painting, and speed come together in a free and uninterrupted stroke. Matter and colour create strong contrasts: a shiny synthetic raffia, akin to the experimental materials used by Carla Accardi or Alberto Burri, stands out with its lustrous feel against a matt ground, together with small textural knots in silk. A similar contrast is provided by the primordial evocation of the labyrinth and the modernity of the colour palette. Kafkian in the way it takes you by surprise and because it sparks a paradoxical dialogue between different elements: its spirit, however, is more playful than serious.
A jacquard velvet with a full and drapey hand-feel, pervaded by a sense of mystery. Delicately poised between a re-emerging ancestral recollection and the totally unprecedented: "déjà vu" and "jamais vu" in equal parts. The Egyptian mako cotton pile is very thick; the finishing process brings out its flock, while blurring the lines of the pattern. The labyrinth is transformed into an engraving that lends itself to interpretation. A trace of the memory on which the key dimension of colour intervenes: each of the possible monochromatic variants is a door leading to a different world.
Geometric shapes engage in a lively contrast on matka silk, hand woven on artisanal looms and screen printed. A visual world music attempts to embrace the entire world, encouraging multiple artistic currents to mingle. The interrupted motif evokes the painted figures of certain tribal traditions and their influence in the course of time on authors such as Keith Haring or Leni Riefenstahl. Colours range from the Kaolin of Piero Manzoni’s Achrome works to auriferous minerals and earthy tones. Each of the two spirits – drapey fabric or wallcovering – is willing to live alone or cohabit.
A dove traces the sinuous trajectory of its flight, moving freely across the white-on-white fabric that celebrates the formal purity of Jean Arp and Abstract Art. Chain stitch embroidery adds a precious touch to a pure wool textural satin in which overstitching confers greater emphasis to the linear motif. This elegant monochromatic fabric joins a well-established Dedar tradition, that of embroidery on a white ground.
A motif of impacting dimensionality peeps out: like a theatre character, it is ready to play its role. Its face has the dynamic forms of Twentieth century avant-garde art movements. Its curvy lines trace an endless to and from on an original velvet that is textural and extremely irregular. The play of tone-on-tone effects enlivens the neutral shades. The long-fibre Egyptian mako pile completes the overall sensation of blossoming softness which, when released, caresses the senses of sight and touch.
An extremely luxurious alpaca velvet with a very thick pile. Warm, soft, and sensual, touch it and enjoy the sensation of sinking your hand into its deep pile: the fabric itself caresses, embraces, and hugs us. Alpaca and wool come together, just as the three colours used to dye the cloud of yarn create a subtle melange, in a palette that comprises the most classical shades of wool, together with some more personal colour accents. An invitation to accept without hesitation: like that of an elegant outer garment asking to be worn, or a gentle and affectionate animal wanting to be stroked.
Luminous, soft, and seductive, like the visions of a refined and pleasure-loving poet. This is cotton velvet at its best, sumptuous and beyond compare to the point of being unique, fruit of uncommon material and textile expertise. With an extremely long pile: so thick and deep that several dyeing sessions are needed to absorb the colour and reach the exact intensity of tone required. A cotton of high standing, of regal and luxurious elegance. Such an abundance of luminosity recalls expressions of pomp and splendour that are no longer part of our everyday scenario.
The research behind the 2024 Texturologie Collection has been conducted on two different fronts. Firstly, a lively medley of mottled and irregular fabrics, which are textural and often highly structured, with a personality that is intentionally artisanal: the spotlight is on yarn, in its countless different nuances. Savoir-faire and an in-depth knowledge of fibres foster a beauty permeated with that of nature: tree bark, rocks and mosses inhabit expressive and comfortable fabrics. Shading, mottled effects, details. Perception changes according to the distance. When viewed close-up, each tonal variation can be appreciated; a few metres away, the overall chromatic impact prevails. The thread turns into a visual expression. Fabrics become unpredictable in terms of material and colour. The intrinsic value of yarns is never an end in itself: rich in content and form, they support elaborate effects.
A curious interest in manufacturing and artisanal processes is the driving force behind Modern Crafts, the other side of Texturologie. Its fabrics are alimented by transparencies, subtractions, backlighting. The spectrum of sensations is a vast one, from the softest tactile voluptuousness to wild textural expressions. Suggestions are equally variegated: snowy slopes, straw mats hand made in distant times and places, the peacefulness of a Japanese karesansui.
Luxury fibres such as ultra-fine cotton mako, caressing chenille, unrefined linen bouclé — together with techniques and processes such as fil coupé, special finishing processes, or the insertion of slits — pave the way to a universe of natural textures and unprecedented expressivity, to be almost disconcerting at times.
Jute and light, the odd couple. A bulky yet elegant plain weave with an amazing touch of luminosity, quite a rarity for the most distinctive fibre of its composition. An intervention of great textile expertise has added a scintillating thread, interlaced with intentional irregularity, to the matt canvas weave in cotton/jute string. The matt surface entraps and reveals uncommon glints, to create an effect akin to metallic enamel. This unpredictable, natural-looking weave has the personality of macrame bags and straw hats.
A macro tweed of sartorial inspiration with a lively artisanal character. The introduction of irregular yarns transforms the bulky ground weave and confers an haute couture personality. The complex construction exploits a rare textile expertise. It combines two threads of a totally different nature: a particularly textural ondé yarn in linen and wool and a cotton ribbon, which differ not only in terms of fibre but also in thickness. The ivory and linen combination is always associated with a chromatic note which may be more delicate or more contrasting, according to the variant. The overall effect evokes the colours and atmospheres of the wilderness.
An abstract chenille, an irregular jacquard of broad scope, endowed with the voluptuousness of velvet. Ideally balanced between material exuberance and expressive loveliness, between elegance and durability. The fibre is a special variety of chenille that seduces at first sight: the special finishing process has conferred even greater softness to a smooth round thread of exquisite quality. A voluptuous fabric, with a soft and compact hand-feel, whose colours range from natural to pastel shades.
A snowfall of geometric shapes: a fil coupé pervaded by a sense of poetry and by the airiness of snowflakes falling from a winter sky. A snowy landscape of abstract forms, poised between art and nature, translates into a sumptuous curtain with echoes of haute couture. The transparent effects are mere suggestions. Symbols are drawn from sculpture, architecture, a graphic design of delicately vibrant strokes. A reference to the textile process — scissors that cut — creates backlit effects and recalls the deconstructed aesthetic of Nineties’ fashion. The variant in combed Egyptian mako is white, pure and drapey; the one in coarse cotton has a fuller hand-feel.
About Dedar
Founded in 1976, Dedar is a family-run fabric house located close to Como, in the heart of a manufacturing district. Dedar experiments and innovates to attain product perfection through an ongoing dialogue with those craftsmen and textile specialists who are most familiar with the techniques employed in the production of excellent fabrics. Characterized by seductive colour palettes and unexpected patterns, Dedar’s fabrics combine precious yarns with research into fiber technology to offer various solutions for curtains, upholstery and wallcovering of timeless elegance.
Meet the latest addition to Zip Water’s collection of outstanding taps: HydroTap Celsius Plus All-in-One Pull-Out. The latest innovation from the drinking water pioneer, Zip Water, is here. Kicking off 2024 with a bold design statement, Zip is launching its HydroTap Celsius Plus All-in-One Pull-Out.
The ultimate in drinking water systems for the home, the new HydroTap features an unrivalled ‘snag-free’ extendable spray-hose, powered by its patented compact hose management system.
HydroTap has long been a coveted feature in the home, transforming tap water into something extraordinary. The beautifully engineered new All-in-One system delivers instant, pure-tasting filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling drinking water, operated via a touchpad handle.
For those who love water with extra fizz, Zip has made sure HydroTap delivers its best sparkling water yet. This is all down to an aerator, concealed in the tap’s spout, which ensures the optimum delivery of sparkling water.
The extendable hose delivers unfiltered hot and cold water for easy rinsing, cleaning and washing up, and can easily be switched to spray mode with the touch of a button. Plus, thanks to Zip’s unrivalled compact hose management system the extendable hose operates smoothly and consistently, retracting without any snagging.
HydroTap Celsius Plus All-in-One Pull-Out is available in seven modern finishes, ensuring there is a perfect match for any kitchen. From classic colours like brushed chrome and matt black through to the premium brushed gold and gunmetal, it's easy to find a complementary tone.
To make sure the kitchen is as hygienic as possible, Zip has included antimicrobial protection embedded into the surface of the touchpad to help prevent the spread of bacteria. The touchpad also features a boiling safety lock, making it a great, safe companion for busy family life.
HydroTap Celsius Plus All-in-One Pull-Out is stylishly smart. Every detail has been considered to ensure it offers the very best experience possible.
About Zip Water
Experience water at its best with the ultimate in luxury home appliances. Zip Water are manufacturers of the iconic Zip HydroTap - a revolutionary drinking water appliance offering the very best in filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water; designed to upgrade your lifestyle. A health-boosting, time-saving, space-saving and planet-saving marvel, the HydroTap transforms ordinary tap water into something extraordinary.
Linwood Fabrics shares their top tips for working wonderful weaves into your home designs…
The true heroes of the textile industry, woven fabrics are both strong and versatile, making them highly adaptable to a vast array of purposes. From lightweight cotton fabric to durable twill weave fabrics, to elaborate designs showcasing intricate patterns and textures, woven fabrics can cater to many different needs in the realms of fashion and interiors.
Here, we delve into the world of woven fabrics to showcase the artistry and adaptability of these much-loved textiles, exploring their many colourful and textural iterations and offering advice on how to work them into interior schemes. Plus a few tips to ensure their longevity…
A woven fabric is a type of textile made by interlacing two sets of yarn or threads – known as the warp yarn and the weft yarn – at right angles to each other. The two threads create a structured, grid-like pattern that gives woven fabrics their inherent strength and durability. Unlike knit fabrics, which have a looped structure that gives them stretch, woven fabrics tend to be much more rigid, so while a knit fabric may be brilliant for clothing, it wouldn’t be as suited to, say, upholstery as woven fabrics are.
Woven fabrics are typically produced on looms and can vary in appearance depending on the choice of fibres and the weaving technique employed, meaning that there are many different types of woven fabrics. They are a staple of the fashion industry – think of the universal popularity of cotton fabric, and particularly denim fabric, for example – and woven fabrics are also used in industrial contexts, from protective equipment for firefighters to seatbelts for cars and aeroplanes. In the home, the scope of woven fabrics is vast: they are used for everything from accessories such as cushions and headboards to curtains and upholstery. Pictured here is Sashay in Teal from our new Tango Weaves II collection, a durable woven fabric that showcases a sophisticated abstract geometric pattern, perfect for a subtly contemporary window treatment, and equally fabulous for upholstery.
The beauty of monochromatic woven fabrics is that they will sit effortlessly in almost any interior, teaming just as well with a palette of neutrals as they will with a more colourful scheme. And don’t be deceived into thinking that a monochromatic woven fabric is going to be dull: the palette may be restrained but it is the nature of the weave itself that will bring character to the piece, from a nubbly tweed – ideal for upholstering a favourite armchair you want to curl up in with a book – to lightweight fabric woven to exude a sense of airiness, such as a breezy linen or an open weave cotton fabric. Shown here is Freya in Granite, a classic tweed-style fabric that brings lovely texture to the 1950s style sofa. The fabric is made from a wool blend that makes it incredibly robust, ensuring that it can withstand the wear and tear of a busy household whilst creating a smart, subtly tailored feel.
When it comes to selecting woven fabrics, your choice of colours really can affect the feel of a space, in turn influencing your mood. Vibrant hues are particularly effective: a pop of yellow, for example, can bring an uplifting feel to a room, while woven fabrics in lively green hues nod to the natural world and lend a sense of optimism to a scheme. Bold blues are good for creating energy and confidence, or, for a sense of drama, try a punchy red – it is fantastic for creating a sense of energy, making it a good choice for sociable spaces. If you are nervous about using bold colours in a scheme, start small: cushions in different types of woven fabrics in vibrant hues may be all the room needs, as well as a few choice accessories such as lampshades or plant pots in similar hues. A small piece of furniture such as an occasional chair, a bench or a footstool is another good way to introduce a punchy weave, and again you can tie it in with accessories throughout the space. Here, a neat side chair is covered in Bolero in Parakeet which, like the cushions, is from our Tango Weaves collection. Each design has a distinctively contemporary edge, perfect for bringing modern glamour and texture to a space.
Woven fabrics in earthy tones are wonderful for creating a grounded feel and a sense of calm within a home. Natural fibres are the perfect choice, complementing earthy hues whilst adding all-important texture to the space. Linen is one of the most sustainable types of woven fabrics, as it is made from the hardy flax plant which can grow in poor soil and requires little more than rainwater to thrive. Linen woven fabrics are also hardwearing, naturally breathable and entirely biodegradable, making them an ideal choice for eco-conscious homes that don’t want to compromise on style. Our Elba range in pure linen includes a palette of rich, earthy neutrals, and we also offer a number of textural woven fabrics that combine linen with manmade fibres for added strength and durability: Orta is a tumbled, heavyweight linen blend weave that comes in 16 soft, muted shades and features natural linen slubs for added character, while our Serrano collection includes a textural plain weave fabric called Collodi, a linen-blend design that comes in three versatile neutrals.
You really can’t go wrong with a woven fabric in a classic stripe. Bringing a sense of tailoring to a room, striped woven fabrics are an enduring favourite, teaming effortlessly with all manner of designs, from textural plain weave fabrics to bold prints. A tone-on-tone stripe is a particularly useful way to bring structure to a piece of upholstery without overpowering it, this Bressay Stripe in Duart being a case in point. The stripe lends a pulled-together look to the simple armchair, while the soft, neutral shades make it a highly adaptable piece. The fabric is made from pure Shetland wool, a cosy option that is also incredibly durable.
The terms checks and plaids are often interchanged but in fact they are distinctly different: checks are formed from two colours and feature the same stripe pattern in the warp and the weft threads, while plaids feature more than two colours and more variety in their layouts. Sometimes the warp and the weft threads of a plaid don’t feature the same pattern, and so they are not symmetrical. And if you are wondering where tartans come in, these are types of plaid associated with specific colourways for different Scottish clans. The appeal of both checks and plaids no doubt lies in the way in which they can bring a sense of familiarity to a scheme, making them a choice that designers return to again and again. Witness how this Beachcomber wool plaid in Stroma brings warmth to a simple armchair, with its tactile feel and palette of natural colours.
Just as herringbone is favoured by fashion designers for bringing sophistication to tailored pieces, so it is beloved in the interiors world for lending a chic touch to a room. The neat geometric zig zag pattern is highly versatile: it can be used to subtly enliven a scheme, for example, or it can serve to temper an exuberant print. The scale of the herringbone will usually inform its role in a room: a small-scale herringbone can be incredibly subtle, almost reading as a plain-woven fabric from a distance, while a large-scale version is invariably punchier. Here, the distinctive pattern of our Zeus herringbone woven fabric in Delft helps to break up the large expanse of the sofa whilst giving it a lively, dynamic touch.
A twill weave is a distinctive type of woven fabric characterised by its diagonal rib pattern, which is created by an offset in the warp threads. Twill woven fabric is renowned for its durability and it hides stains well, making it popular in both fashion – the best known twill weave being denim – and home decor. Twill woven fabric tends to be a very forgiving choice for upholstery, as it is not only incredibly durable, but it also doesn’t wrinkle or crease. This Livorno design is a robust twill weave in a linen mix, which lends itself well to upholstery or heavy curtaining. It comes in Portland, a go-with-anything neutral.
A woven fabric in a satin finish is guaranteed to bring a touch of old-school glamour to a scheme. Perhaps the most beloved of satin weaves is the damask, a symmetrical, mirror-image foliate design where the monochrome pattern is picked out with different warp and weft threads. The organic patterns reference nature while the mix of matt and shiny threads is supremely elegant. Our Miletto damask is woven from a linen and viscose yarns to create a design that is at once contemporary yet timeless. A beautiful fabric for showcasing upholstery, it also looks fabulous made into curtains and cushions – and we love to see it teamed with contrasting textures such as tactile wools or plush velvets.
Jacquard is another type of timeless weave that lends understated elegance to a room scheme. The name comes from the special loom used to create these fabrics, invented by French textile artisan Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1804; rather like damasks, it creates raised motifs that give these textiles their inherent elegance. This glorious Pisqu design is a jacquard velvet, a rich, tactile fabric inspired by a Peruvian appliqué textile. As demonstrated here, it lends itself beautifully to upholstery and is equally wonderful for thick, indulgent curtains.
The joy of most types of woven fabrics is that they are incredibly durable, meaning that with a little care and attention, they will last for years to come. It is important to always check the care label of your woven fabric carefully: some are machine washable at a low temperature while many, such as our Hartland textural weaves pictured, are dry clean only, meaning that it is best to avoid spot cleaning as this could permanently damage the fabric. Some types of woven fabrics are inherently stain resistant or they come with a stain repellent finish, making it possible to mop up spills using a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel. Leave it on the spot until as much liquid is absorbed as possible, but if the stain remains visible, we advise approaching an expert. As with any fabric, woven fabrics benefit from regular maintenance to avoid them becoming dull and lack-lustre: use the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove dust from curtains as well as upholstery pieces such as sofas, armchairs and headboards, and regularly plump cushions to remove dust and redistribute the fillings. From time to time, it is advisable to undertake a professional deep clean of your woven fabrics, and when you do this, remember to have all the pieces in the same fabric cleaned in one go, to ensure a consistent colour balance.
We hope we have shown that the possibilities of woven fabrics within the home really are endless, offering the chance to bring personality and character to a scheme. From the timelessness of stripes, checks and herringbones to the elegance of complex weaves such as jacquards and satin, to the punchiness of colourful woven fabrics, the choices are vast, ensuring there is a woven fabric for every aesthetic. And not forgetting the stalwarts such as sturdy twills, versatile monochrome weaves and natural fibre weaves in earthy tones – effortless designs that are perfect for creating calming interiors or for tempering bolder choices within a dynamic scheme. Choose your woven fabrics well – and show them a little care along the way – and you will be enjoying them for years to come.
Perfect for all those who want to bring their own ideas to life: IMO – short for “In My Opinion” – should be seen as an invitation to create an expressive and personal design for the home bathroom. The series from Dornbracht fits effortlessly into many different styles, and will be available as a refined design from April 2024. With the aid of artificial intelligence, a video piece has been created to emphasise the universal character of IMO.
The moving images translate the versatility of IMO in an eye-catching and playful way: Providing the starting point were four, newly-created bathroom architectures showing the fittings series in completely different settings – including a pink guest bathroom, an urban apartment bathroom, a family bathroom in fresh, pastel yellow, and the premium version in soft sage green. The shapes morph into one another, allowing the bathrooms to transition smoothly between each other. The forms, colours, and structures of the interior designs merge continually, and are seen caught in dynamic motion. Dornbracht uses this to provide valuable impetus for designing home bathrooms.
The reason for the artistic project is the thorough review of the IMO series. Sieger Design, a partner of the Iserlohn-based manufacturer for many years, gently changed the design of the fitting. “IMO is a fitting that works in many contexts and in many furnishing styles,” says owner Michael Sieger. “Now, after more than 13 years, we have given it a refined, lighter, and therefore contemporary appearance. It is more slender, making it seem more delicate and even more precise. But in making the refinements, we have retained the proportions and traits that distinguish IMO: These include, for instance, the striking shape of the spout, and the combination of two basic geometric forms, the circle and the rectangle,” he continues.
The water consumption of the basin fittings was also optimised as part of the refinement. The reduced flow rate achieved a saving of approximately 35%, with the spray pattern barely changed.
Lastly, Dornbracht added numerous new product types and finishes to the series, so that IMO can adapt even better to individual ideas and requirements: Just one of the many innovations is the two-hole mixer, where the handle can be positioned anywhere on the washstand. With Matte Black, Dark Chrome and Brushed Dark Platinum, there is also a far wider choice of dark finishes available.
About Dornbracht
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.
Scribble Stone Inspire is a highly-skilled, time-served team specialising in public realm and art projects, producing the highest level of detail and craftsmanship. Working in collaboration with artists, architects and city planners we can create the most unique architectural installations and public realm spaces, using innovative techniques the materials shown below can be manipulated to accentuate the character of each material.
Working with Broadbent Studios, we helped create this iconic landmark which sits in the town of Peterborough. The Voice of the City sculpture stands near the site of Henry Penn's foundry (1685-1729), where bells were cast for Peterborough Cathedral and other churches. In this sculpture, the casting of molten metal into a stone mould represents the unstructured sounds being funnelled into a single note, symbolised further by the Chladni inlayed sound wave patterns.
This public realm scheme was constructed with Scoutmoor Yorkstone and Kilkenny limestone. The high performance and technical abilities of these natural stones have made them a valuable material for centuries.
Scoutmoor Yorkstone was water-jet cut and inlaid with brass to emulate sound wave-like patterns. To maintain the polished look of the lettering, we sandblasted the plinth and boarders of Kilkenny limestone.
About Scribble Stone Inspire Surfaces
Inspire Surface is a new in-house production that allows us to specialise in bespoke solid surface projects, collaborating with amazing artists to create art installations, exhibitions or interiors. Inspire starts with the concept and design development stage through to manufacturing, installation and completion. We combine traditional stonemasonry skills and expert carving with modern design technology and innovative engineering ensuring we create the best quality for our clients.
Premium bathroom retailer C.P. Hart is at the vanguard of first-to-market bathroom collections, recently introducing over 30 new luxury ranges to their expansive product portfolio.
“We are so pleased to launch such an exciting range of bathroom collections, many of which are internationally sourced and exclusively available in the UK from any of our showrooms,” says Yousef Mansuri, C.P. Hart Director of Design. “Whilst all our showrooms undergo continual upgrades to introduce the most striking product innovations, our flagship Waterloo showroom offers over 40 room set displays across almost 40,000 sq. ft – the largest premium bathroom showroom in the UK.”
“We’ve curated our latest launch to showcase the best of both classical and contemporary bathroom design, featuring new collections from world-renowned makers, including Duravit, Artelinea, AXOR, and Effe, as well as a selection of hand-picked brands, bought to the UK as C.P. Hart exclusives,” explains Yousef.
“Please click here to browse our new collections online, however, only close personal inspection through a showroom visit can convey the true quality of our products, with inspirational room set displays and extensive sample selections. As importantly, our showrooms provide personal consultations with the industry’s most knowledgeable and highly trained bathroom consultants and designers, building on over 85 years’ experience in specifying innovative, beautiful, and durable bathroom products. Here, you are able to learn more about our product offering and trade design services.”
Please find a selection of the new C.P. Hart ranges below. Should you require any further information or product specifications, please contact your nearest C.P. Hart showroom or book an appointment here.
C.P. Hart brings a distinctive collection of top-quality brassware to the UK in an exclusive partnership with expert manufacturer Franz Viegener. Each of Franz Viegener’s ranges of taps and shower fittings offers a selection of impeccably designed products with mirror-like finishes and precision engineering to ensure years of reliable performance.
All brass used is produced on-site to ensure quality and is 100% lead-free, and taps and shower fittings are available in a choice of up to 12 finishes. The collection also offers multiple handle styles and texture options.
Discover Franz Viegener here.
In another exclusive first-to-market launch, C.P. Hart introduces bathroom furniture, brassware, and baths by Italian manufacturer Park Avenue. Based in Florence, Park Avenue is best known for its classically styled and beautifully engineered products, now on display in C.P. Hart’s flagship Waterloo showroom.
Discover Park Avenue here.
In an exclusive launch, C.P. Hart introduces a range of contemporary designer baths with Italian manufacturer Relax Design. This company has more than two decades of experience in producing sculptural bathroom designs in solid surface and resin materials in an impressive palette of colours and imaginative textures and effects. Production is meticulously controlled, the entire process completed on-site in the Relax Design manufacturing facility in Naples, Italy.
Discover Relax Design here.
C.P. Hart’s new and exclusive Odyssey shower collection is made in Britain from 10mm toughened safety glass, designed to accommodate a multitude of shower configurations.
Single wetroom panels range from 700mm to 1400mm, extending to 1600mm when installed with a hinged panel door. Corner and recess options are also available, with a series of sliding and hinged door arrangements to suit bathrooms of all styles and sizes. The range’s bath screens boast a frameless, near-invisible design to help create the sense of a larger space whilst providing effective splash protection, with single, fixed, and folding options available.
Discover Odyssey here.
Continuing its commitment to offering the best in home spa products, C.P. Hart launches the new Natural sauna by Effe.
Natural is a glass-fronted home sauna composed of heat-treated Aspen exuding a warming timber essence to enhance its connection with nature, complete with chromotherapy light, reverberating off the satin glass side panel to create an immersive colour experience that aids relaxation and wellbeing.
Discover Natural here.
View all new collections here.
About C.P. Hart
C.P. Hart are an established bathroom supplier with over 80 years’ experience of specifying and sourcing the world’s most innovative and durable premium bathroom products. A successful Contracts division works for architects, interior designers and builders, often on major commercial property developments and hotels. While a highly qualified in-house design team works with individual and private clients, ensuring that each of these bespoke bathrooms is unique.
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