From the flooring to the furniture, this month’s round up of product news from SBID Accredited partners has got you covered. Featuring new variations of natural limestone floors, an impressive collection of ceramic wall tiles and luxuriously handcrafted furniture inspired by great American design movements.
Karndean Designflooring introduces five new stone designs
Karndean Designflooring is celebrating the understated colour tones found in natural limestone by introducing five new stone designs to its modern Korlok collection. The new limestone hues create a neutral backdrop for any interior design scheme!
Designed to offer quicker installation times and enhanced acoustic benefits, it is the first time the brand has added stone to its rigid core portfolio. It enables architects, interior designers and contractors to specify a wood and stone rigid core design in the same space when looking to support wayfinding. Like all Karndean floors, the designs are handcrafted to reflect the understated colour tones found in natural limestone and have been developed to include subtle veining, delicate mottling and a chalky appearance to create a realistic finish.
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The latest ceramic wall tile collection from Parkside
Designed in collaboration with a leading colour consultant, Matrix is the latest ceramic wall tile collection from specification company Parkside. Inspiring creativity, Matrix offers an unprecedented portfolio of 23 tile colours, available in matt or gloss finishes, accompanied by matching grouts and trims. With the Matrix collection, Parkside wanted to create a range of colours that would allow the design community to curate co-ordinated looks or mix and match colours to create striking design statements.
The Matrix colours were developed in collaboration with colour consultant Vanessa Konig, who wanted to ensure that they would complement natural materials as well as work across a range of environments; from warm, cosy restaurants and bars to more pared-back, minimalist designs.
Bette offers over 400 colours for bathroom inspiration
German bathroom manufacturer, Bette, offers its baths, shower trays and washbasins in over 400 colours and also creates bespoke colours for large projects. A new colour reference fan, featuring its most popular colours, is also available. Bette can create its bathroom components in over 400 colours because of the way its products are made. Each item is individually manufactured in titanium-steel, before its durable BetteGlaze enamel finish is applied and fired. Bette mixes colour pigments into the BetteGlaze enamel finish, prior to application, which is why such a huge range of colours, including gloss, matt, shimmering and glittering options, are available.
Bette’s unique finish not only allows over 400 colour options, but the glazed titanium-steel results in products that keep their good looks for many years, are easy to clean, 100% recyclable and come with a 30 year warranty, making them ideal for both contract and residential projects.
Luxury furniture brand, Linea Luxe offer bespoke service for any brief
Linea Luxe believe that all life’s greatest luxury products can only be crafted by hand. Attention to detail, care and respect for how they treat each creation allows the masterpiece to develop. With an experienced team that works with the best tools and latest technology, they employ traditional techniques learnt from a lifetime of experience. Every piece that leaves the workshop carries with it a sense of pride and commitment that it has been produced in the best possible way.
Their collections have been inspired by the great American design movements covering Retro, Art Deco, Mid Century and Regency periods; taking inspirations from the design icons of the time and adding a unique modern twist. Linea Luxe produce case goods and upholstered items, all made 100% in the UK. In addition to their furniture collection, they are also known for bespoke and one-off furniture with a skilled team to take almost any brief and effortlessly transition idea to reality.
Elite Stone showcases its ‘Bond’ Calacatta Borhini interior collection
Elite Stone curate innovative spaces in the kitchen and living area to create unique environments in perfect harmony. The kitchen enters more and more into the living space, becoming the cradle of conviviality. ‘Bond’ Calacatta Borghini interior collection is produced in marine multi-layered wood with a maple coating and backlit E-Light panels to light up the space. The exterior is entirely covered in washable quality leather, with hand stitching and steel handle inserts. A contemporary design with an illuminated sliding-top that opens up a worktop with integrated sink. The island, which can be opened from all sides, includes several extractable cupboards and internal drawers, and is complete with appliances with a smart ‘knock-to-open’ opening functionality. At the centre, an evocative winery space with a double door that can be opened fully to create a precious and modern lounge bar inside the home.
If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more.
With lockdown lifting, projects resuming and new clients on the horizon, we’re sharing the latest product news from SBID Accredited Partners. Featuring premium, Mother of Pearl decorative wall panels; a table collection inspired by a new wave of Brazilian music, and an ecological collection of advanced natural paints with sustainable options for any project!
Introducing Siminetti’s Mother of Pearl decorative panels
Siminetti’s Mother of Pearl Decorative Panels are the next generation in Mother of Pearl surface finishes. Handcrafted by Siminetti’s team of artisans, the ‘Golden Pearl Drop’ Decorative Panels capture the stunning natural beauty of Mother of Pearl that has for centuries been associated with luxury, sophistication and elegance. Utilising a combination of Siminetti’s ‘Bianco’ and ‘Golden Promise’ Mother of Pearl, every panel carries its own bespoke appeal.
Produced from fully sustainable Freshwater and Saltwater Pearl, each decorative panel is assembled to the clients exacting dimensions and can be produced in almost any shape up to maximum size of 240cm x 120cm. The individual Mother of Pearl pieces are hand placed onto a lightweight, robust, honeycomb backing which ensures they are also fully waterproof, making the decorative panels not only suitable for kitchen splashbacks and furniture inlays, but equally wet-room and shower environments. Siminetti Decorative Panels are the luxurious alternative to tiles and are available in over 30 stunning designs. Siminetti also offers a bespoke design service, allowing Designers, Architects and Specifiers to develop their own unique style.
Cox London presents the Siren Chair for Collect at Somerset House
The Siren Chair was created by Cox London for Collect at Somerset house in March 2020. This generously proportioned chair is traditionally upholstered with natural lamb’s wool for great comfort, supported by sculptural cast-bronze arms and a forged iron frame. Both visceral and flocculent, the beguiling chair is signed and numbered by the artist. Special editions available in different finishes and different fabrics. The founders, Christopher and Nicola Cox take inspiration from the great traditions and techniques of making; their work is craft orientated, sculpture based and infused with historical references.
Christopher and Nicola make their artwork and furniture in their north London atelier and workshop. Having studied fine art sculpture together they set up their studio early in 2000, they have since taken on a wide variety of commissions from the worlds of fine art, craft and interior decoration to produce bespoke or limited-edition pieces that combine creativity with the best of British craftsmanship and artistry. Cox London’s unique designs are on display in their Pimlico and North London showroom’s.
Kassavello features elite brand’s Bossa table collection
The Bossa collection is taken from a range of curated products from the portfolio of elite brands that are available through luxury furniture design atelier Kassavello. Inspired by ‘Bossa Nova’, the new wave of musical genre and culture that emerged from Brazil in the 1950’s, the Bossa table collection is defined by a sleek finish and subtle curved edges. Constructed from high gloss solid mahogany wood with contrasting natural cane and matt mahogany detailing, these unique pieces are subtle enough to compliment a myriad of schemes whilst adding a distinctive sense of style and flair.
The Bossa square coffee table combines natural cane with a practical glass top whilst the Bossa side table is completed with an elegantly crafted inset matt veneer. Designed with flexible grouping in mind, the taller side tables combine beautifully with the shorter coffee table creating a stunning composition and centerpiece. Bespoke options and finishes are available across the collection.
A New Era for advanced natural paints with Graphenstone
As a customer rightly stated, “Graphenstone offers a range of stunning colours, all of them Green.” Using 100% recycled and recyclable packing and delivery materials, Graphenstone is proud to hold ‘Cradle to Cradle Institute’ Gold and Silver Certifications, as the ultimate validation of its dedication to green products and processes. With natural ingredients combined with graphene technology, Graphenstone offer the most advanced, durable and ecological ranges of paint available on the UK market. The absence of toxicity makes the paints virtually odourless. LEED, WELL and BREEAM Compliant, Graphenstone’s products are ideal for any large or small-scale project seeking healthy and sustainable paint options with trusted certifications.
Leading global kitchen and bathroom supplier GROHE has reported unprecedented demand for hygienic touchless taps in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. At a time when the pandemic has pushed the everyday necessity of hand washing into the spotlight, it would seem finding solutions to optimise hygiene in both the workplace and at home is spurring the demand.
Leading figures within the design community are also considering how hygiene will come to the fore in the interior spaces of the future. Coen van Oostrom, Founder and CEO of EDGE, a company that specialises in developing a new generation of buildings that focus on the health of people and the planet, predicts that new health measures will play a key role in a new generation of workplaces. “Together with sustainability, health will define the way we build and design homes, offices and places where people meet. Touchless products and speech-driven technology will play a key role in making healthy and safe offices. Consumers will want to minimise contact to surfaces as much as possible”.
Having specified the healthcare, hospitality and commercial sector for many years, where hygiene-optimised products are already far more commonplace, GROHE is braced for the vast changes ready to hit the mass marketplace. “With our wide range of touchless and hands-free products, we at GROHE have the right response to the increased need of hygiene in sensitive areas such as kitchens and bathrooms”, says Jonas Brennwald, CEO LIXIL Water Technology EMENA, Deputy CEO Grohe AG. “Currently, we can say that we are already experiencing a higher demand for our hygiene enhancing products – from both our private and business customers.”
In the UK market, the transition to a more hygiene-focused workplace and business environment has already been in motion since the beginning of the year. Elina Enqvist-Twomey, Category Manager at GROHE UK says: “Feedback from the commercial market in the last three months tells us that hygiene is top of the agenda for specification, with a large proportion of projects specifying more hygiene-focused products such as infra-red taps , infra-red flush plates, and shower toilets. In recent weeks, we have seen an increase in customers purchasing infra-red taps as a result. Likewise, in the kitchen, several of our tap designs which use advanced technologies to minimise physical interaction with the handle of the tap itself such as our SmartControl kitchen mixer and Zedra Touch range have also seen an increased interest. When the industry returns to a sense of normality, we expect the increasing scrutiny of hygiene in the workplace and public buildings to continue. This pandemic has encouraged all of us in some way to rethink our hygiene practises and consider new lengths to protecting ourselves and those around us.”
Why an infra-red touchless tap is more hygienic
In recent years, the property market has seen a shift to include more alternative housing settings such as grandparents living with their children and families, or groups of young professionals co-habiting together. This is when infra-red technology first began to be demanded in the residential sector and its benefits have continued to strengthen demand ever since. Infra-red taps require minimal, if any, human contact with the tap itself unlike standard taps where germs from unclean hands could linger on tap handles, unless continual thorough cleaning was carried out after each use. The GROHE Bau Cosmo E, a strong robust design made using composite polymer, uses motion sensors to detect movement, which then activates the water flow. A mixing valve on the side of the spout can be used to adjust the temperature if required and a temperature limiter can also be installed if desired. Once the user removes their hands from the basin, the sensors will detect this and stop the water flow.
About the Author
SBID Accredited Industry Partner, GROHE is a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, with every product based on the brand values of quality, technology, design and sustainability.
If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more.
When designing a room, the details can make all the difference, from the perfect paint colour to that dreamy flooring. It can be frustrating when essential fixtures and fittings, such as plastic light switches, affect the end result. Well, wouldn’t it be great if these electrical fittings were part of a solution and not the problem? Step forward innovative stylish switches that stand out for all the right reasons.
Check out four key styles for switches that are breaking all the rules and turning electrical accessories into cool interior must-haves.
Busy family homes are often packed full of colour, which changes on a daily basis depending on what toys are being played with or the latest craft project on display. So, wouldn’t it be great if you had versatile electrical switches that could mirror this playful vibe?
Opt for a light switch that has interchangeable cover plates and you’ll be able to change up the look every time the surroundings evolve.
Make it a feature. Turn a colourful switch into part of the backdrop by giving it a role in an exciting gallery wall display of prints and photographs. You could even include childrens’ artwork in clear frames for a humorous touch.
Often overlooked as a significant part of a room scheme, designers are now rethinking the role of the light switch as a stand-alone interior feature thanks to the many new styles and finishes available.
For example, if you’re looking to complement a classic, high-end interior, then an elegantly designed switch is a sleek and sophisticated solution. Featuring a chic metallic finish, a charcoal steel frame will team perfectly with dark tones and raw textures, while its sublime simplicity will ensure it melts away into the backdrop.
Encourage the simplicity. For added efficiency, this switch features a simple push-button operation for an extra streamlined finish.
Whether you choose to make a feature of an elegant switch, or give it a quieter role in your scheme, we guarantee it will still make a design statement in any space.
Take a super-sleek and simplistic design, for example. With clean lines, matt finish and LED-lit push buttons, it will fade into the backdrop of a soothing living space, yet will bring a designer elegance that a basic plastic switch just couldn’t match.
Show it off in a prominent position. Forget having to hide switches behind doors or curtains where they won’t be seen. With a sophisticated collection, you’ll be encouraged to fit them in eye-catching spots that not only pull focus but are also convenient to use.
The laidback look of a simple switch fits right in with a neutral palette of weathered timbers, natural linens and calming greys – perfect for a creative coastal interior.
And to encourage that easy-living vibe even more, the switch could feature pictograms that clearly indicate each operation, so you can go straight to the downlights, ceiling fan or room you want.
Design a bespoke switch layout. Before choosing any electrical accessories, consider how you use each room so you can pick the right combination of switches to suit the function of the space. For example, dimmer switches are great for living spaces where you may want mood lighting, while USB chargers are going to be essential in study spaces, bedrooms and above kitchen benches.
Create a coordinated look in every room. With a complete range of switches, outlets and electrical accessories, including fan controls and cooker switches, you can ensure your home is style-ready as well as future-ready.
SBID Accredited Industry Partner, Schneider Electric is a global specialist in energy management and automation providing energy technologies, software and digital automation solutions for efficiency and sustainability in the home, buildings, data centres and more.
This article was written by Louisa Buckley, Residential Segment Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric.
As designers, it’s important to maintain motivation and keep finding the inspiration to fuel your fire during these uncertain times. This month’s edition of the Interior Edit brings you the latest product news and interior product inspirations from SBID Accredited Industry Partners. Featuring a colourful collection of printed velvet fabrics, an inspired and aesthetic range of electrical fittings, as well as a new striking leather look for luxury seating.
Modern lightness meets the de Sede heritage with new DS-531 range
DS-531 combines the requisite modern lightness with the heritage of de Sede. This versatile family of seats in an unmistakable patchwork design combines everything that sets our craftsmanship apart: tradition and innovation, creativity and experience, passion and high-tech. This passion gives rise to comfortable, cozy seating options, with flowing shapes and a striking leather look that will blend in everywhere.
With a lowered sitting position and modern, stitched leather design, the sweeping frame construction and wooden supporting base for the seat cushions are the simple structural elements of these contemporary sculptures. They are available both as three-seater and as a cozy armchair with head section and stool.
Focus SB launches Kelly Hoppen’s debut electrical accessories collection
Focus SB launched an exquisite collection of luxury ‘wall jewellery’ in collaboration with the multi-award-winning designer, Kelly Hoppen MBE. Focus SB’s MD, Gary Stevens says: “From the moment I first met with Kelly it was like a breath of fresh air and she was bursting with new ideas for what is a relatively conservative and mature product sector.”
This is the first collection of electrical accessories designed by Kelly Hoppen MBE who comments: “Interior fittings such as light switches and plug sockets are often not considered until the end of a project, but these details can add an extra touch and shouldn’t be overlooked. The world of electrical wiring accessories is generally very conservative, but I wanted to create something that would very much be part of the overall design, introducing jewellery-like details and alternative finishes. This collaboration with Focus SB introduces a new aesthetic to electrical fittings in a way we haven’t previously seen.”
Linwood Fabric introduces its new collection of printed velvet fabrics
New for Spring/Summer 20, Omega Prints II by Linwood Fabric is an alluring collection of printed velvet fabrics. This beautiful addition to our much loved Omega and Omega Prints ranges is presented in an enticing palette of fresh pastels and bold primary colours. The 15 exclusive designs range from small geometrics to painterly styles; inspired by a myriad of sources from Moroccan kilims to vintage Russian textiles. Inherently fire retardant and soft to the touch, these velvets drape beautifully but are also stain resistant and washable, ensuring upholstery has longevity.
Frette debuts its latest Style of Living pieces for Spring/Summer 2020
Storied luxury Italian linen brand Frette revealed the newest releases as part of its Style of Living assemblage, available both in-store and online since March 2020. The latest pieces continue to build upon the foundational collection and colourways of the Style of Living assemblage with signature motifs re-imagined in timeless, versatile shades of navy and opal blue. In addition, four new designs have been added to the bedding assortment this season. A new collection of classics that extend beyond the bedroom, Style of Living’s precise design formula, called “product agility,” was carefully developed to prioritise the agility of the product over passing seasonal trends while also allowing for nearly infinite design possibilities across generations – from minimalist to extravagant, from geometric to romantic and ornate.
Gillian Weir offer bespoke cashmere throws, blankets and cushions
Gillian Weir’s bespoke cashmere throws, blankets and cushions are custom made to suit your individual projects. With a palette of 75 shades and looms just under three metres wide, each piece is completely bespoke and is hand dyed, woven and finished in your preferred colour, size, weight and finish.
For a relaxed, rustic feel choose from one of eight tassel designs; for a sleek luxe look opt for a pure mulberry silk border or pick a cashmere binding for a more natural, contemporary style. Gillian Weir rarely make the same throw twice, offering a unique touch of luxury for the most exclusive interiors.
Taking into account that the average employee spends 3,515 full days in the office in their lifetime – not to mention an additional 188 days of overtime – it’s no wonder that top firms are reviewing the ways that their headquarters feel, function and flow. Now Midlands-based aquarium design company and SBID Accredited Industry Partner, ViDERE, has developed a remedy in the form of interacting with fish-tanks and it hopes the discovery will help more employees keep their heads above water.
Poor mental and physical health diminishes an employee’s ability to function and perform well at work and can also negatively impact their wider social community. It is also common knowledge, through both research and anecdotal evidence that humans experience physiological, emotional and cognitive benefits from interacting with nature (Ulrich, 1984; van den Berg et al, 2003). Thus, the correlation between connections with nature and improved wellbeing has led to a cultural shift in the way we design buildings and public spaces.
Nature as a key design element
This cultural shift has been a driving force behind occupational psychologists and designers taking a holistic approach in incorporating different elements of nature into the structure, furnishings and operational activities of businesses and corporations. The approach of ‘Human Centred Design’ encapsulates a multitude of disciplines and expertise, to enable companies to positively shape the working environment of their employees both physically and culturally.
One important component of this approach is the introduction of nature as a key design element to create greater appeal and improve wellbeing. Research has shown that on average, humans instinctively prefer to be surrounded by elements of nature (Ulrich, R. S., 1981). Our perception of what is ‘beautiful’ is greatly skewed towards landscapes, and areas that are rich in biodiversity (Dennis Dutton, 2009). The extensive body of research in this subject area has made the integration of nature as a corner stone in the approach of design that improves the human experience.
At a time when workplace stress is on the rise, with recent research showing that it costs UK employers over £43bn a year, ViDERE dove deeply into researching the effect that interacting with aquariums has upon key stress indicators. This study was carried out during the summer and autumn of 2019 and specifically, looked at the impact of spending time looking into an aquarium and how this affected the stress and anxiety levels of employees working in a web development agency, Lightbox Digital, who are based in Birmingham.
Studying the therapeutic impact of aquariums
Individuals working in the digital marketing sector often experience prolonged periods of workplace anxiety and stress, partly due to heavy workloads and extended periods in front of a screen. Therefore, the focal point of the study was collecting data on each employees’ heart rate and blood pressure before and after each individual looked into their office fish-tank for ten minutes and looking at how this data varied.
Overall, the results across the board show that looking into the office’s planted aquarium for 10 minutes led to an average drop in blood pressure by 15.6% and an average drop in heart rate by 3%, reinforcing ViDERE’s initial theory that fish-tanks have a positive effect on mental wellbeing in the workplace. It’s also notable that all but two participants’ blood pressure fell into the NHS’s recommended blood pressure range for a healthy adult of between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, after the 10-minute therapy.
The correlation between lower stress levels and biophilic design elements highlighted by the study is a factor that more businesses should consider as they expand both their teams and workspaces. From this pilot study, we can draw some preliminary conclusions and inferences about the potential benefits associated with having an aquarium in a business interior for the staff and management teams that work there. The findings from this study also suggest that an aquarium not only has a positive impact on the appeal of a space with its high biophilic value, but can be used as a therapy for stress recovery. Thus, the more businesses invest in their office infrastructure and multi-functional design features, ultimately, the more they will improve their employees’ well-being within their workplace; which in turn, enhances productivity.
What does this mean for employers?
Discussing the results, ViDERE founder and pioneer of the study, Akil Beckford, commented: “The research into biophilia and the impact that the natural world has on our human emotions has risen in recent years and has shown staggering results. While our own study was on a small scale, the universal impact that it had on our individual test subjects is testament to the impact that simple changes can make to the bigger picture for businesses. All companies are made up of teams of people, and if they are feeling better, the business performs better… it’s simple!”
“The world seems to be constantly pushing high-tech boundaries and striving for smarter homes, offices, and community areas; but we are in danger of losing touch with nature, with potentially catastrophic results on our own health and wellbeing. Of course, we aren’t saying that technology is bad – quite the opposite in fact! – but it does serve as a warning that if we don’t start thinking about the way that the two can co-exist symbiotically, and designing our spaces to reflect that, then our wellbeing may well suffer.”
Akil and his team at ViDERE intend to continue educating people in the business community about how they can better facilitate wellbeing at work. Having already worked with the likes of Interface, Poggenpohl, and Clements and Church, seeing first-hand the impact that aquariums have had, Akil is confident that he can continue to lead the way as an advocate for biophilia in the Midlands.
Click here to read the full report.
Akil Beckford is an aquarist and designer who is passionate about connecting people to nature. For over 15 years, Akil has been designing and installing aquariums into peoples homes and business’s, creating globally recognised designs and displays.
This article was written by Akil Gordon-Beckford, Founder & Director of ViDERE Aquariums
To commemorate 100 years of Bentley motor cars, SBID Accredited Industry Partner, Alexander Joseph in collaboration with DMark Concepts produced a one of a kind cordless lamp, named Mulliner. The design of this exclusive premium lamp not only pays homage to the luxurious specification of Bentley’s prestigious interiors and their brand-new convertible model, but does so sustainably.
Made completely by hand in their UK workshops, the Nickel lamp body has been cushioned, replicating the decadent seating synonymous with the Mulliner specification. In collaboration with Bentley, the lampshade has been crafted in Vegan leather, then hand stitched in the iconic quilted diamond shape. The piece took 5 months to complete and represents approximately 600 hours of meticulous labour! The lamp also benefits from cutting edge, patent-pending battery technology and software, which delivers 3-4 weeks of use on a single charge. After the briefest of visits to the Geneva Motor Show, Mulliner will be offered for sale privately via a small number of Interior Designers with an appropriate client profile.
Sharing his insight to the key factors driving industry change and how makers should respond, we interviewed Mark Robinson, Managing Director of Alexander Joseph to find out more about what went in to produce this Bentley-inspired, vegan lamp!
What social trends are driving change and how do your designs respond to them?
Consumer desire for ethically made and sustainable products forces makers to think hard about their products, often this means using new techniques or materials where traditional methods are now considered morally redundant. This in turn can affect the way a designer must think about a piece to ensure whatever the item happens to be can be made cost effectively.
Manufacturers ignore customer demands for ethical and sustainable products at their peril. It’s no longer good enough to “carry on as normal”, customers have started to vote with their feet, or wallets! Brands should see this as an opportunity to inspire new design and perhaps techniques, rather than a begrudging obligation.
A great example of a brand adapting to what the market wants is one of our most iconic British brands, Bentley. The company recently introduced a range of vegan leathers for their vehicles.
Can you talk us through the manufacturing process. How did you take the initial design concept to achieve the final end product?
Alexander Joseph partnered with DMark Concepts to make this piece. The two businesses have worked together on other projects and discussed how to produce something unique. DMark who are also based in Dorset are best known for handmaking body parts for vintage cars you simply can’t buy.
The concept for the Mulliner lamp came following a meeting between the two companies for an unrelated piece destined for a luxury yacht. During a conversation about Bentley, Mark Robinson mentioned their drive to become more environmentally aware, this in turn led to a conversation about new Bentley models including the upcoming Mulliner. Within 10 minutes the group at the meeting had sketched out the initial concept.
In rudimentary terms, the piece can be broken down into three parts. The body, the shade and the technology. We decided to make the body from copper, primarily because it is an easier material to roll than most. It also lends itself to being highly polished as well as being the perfect plating surface.
A single sheet of copper was hand rolled, then using a laser light, the sheet was painstakingly worked over a wheel to create the pillowing synonymous with Bentley Mulliner models. This section of the lamp took almost 300 hours to create.
The technology for this piece also had to be reworked onto a new platform as the internal space wouldn’t allow for our existing electronics layout. This in turn meant we had to redesign the charging system for the lamp!
How was the choice of materials important? Why did you choose to use Vegan leather?
Our initial idea was to make our first carbon neutral product, just to see if it could be done. Using Vegan leather for the lampshade was an obvious and easy choice. We approached Bentley about the project, and they were able to give us all the information we needed to see the piece to conclusion.
The black vegan leather we eventually selected was then sent to a car upholstery specialist who formerly worked for another car brand, Aston Martin. He was able to hand stitch the material, replicating the Mulliner specification in Bentley cars.
Your products are manufactured by hand in the UK. How do you see ‘Made in Britain’ trend evolving after Brexit?
We don’t fear what Brexit means to ‘Made in Britain’. In fact, we see it as another opportunity. As a country we may struggle to compete with other regions for lower priced high-volume products, but nobody does quality engineered and hand-made products better than Britain. We see no reason why this wouldn’t continue. If anything, it could be argued that an overt independence only enhances the cache of Made in Britain.
How do you go about sourcing your materials locally? Why do you do this?
We ensure every component used in our lamps come from UK suppliers. When we launched our business one of our proud claims was that our lamps were 100% British – and this is still the case today. We audit all our suppliers to ensure everything they supply to us has been sourced and made in the UK. Wherever possible we buy from local suppliers with around 80% of our raw material coming from firms within a 20-mile radius of our workshops.
Sourcing specialist components and materials from UK suppliers is challenging, the research is time consuming, as is the administration of controlling the supply chain, but we think it is worth it.
All our pieces have a serial number. We record every component that goes into a customer lamp, so in the future if the piece is damaged, we can replace a part without the cost of replacing the whole lamp. As a result, we also know what date we received every component and which batch it came from. We even record ancillary information such as the depth of plating, or the colour density of glass.
Questions answered by Mark Robinson, Managing Director of Alexander Joseph
Our smart home assistants must do more than play our favourite playlists and tell us the weather. In many ways they are becoming our life assistants; planning our days, telling us the news and controlling our home appliances. For years, homeowners have been able to customise the temperatures of their home using their smart devices. So what’s next?
As homes become smarter, bringing greater benefits, so too will heating systems. By adopting smarter features, heat will be generated only when and where its required to the exact temperature that is optimal for every square foot. Simple upgrades to homes across the country will have a huge impact on comfort, convenience and energy bills. Homes will provide more control and improved thermal comfort of occupants by enabling the personalisation of each room.
Smarter choices
Smart heating systems are designed so users can easily control their thermostat directly from an app on their phone – whether you’re out, on the sofa or having a lie-in. This is an altogether better and smarter choice for people to keep out the cold this winter.
With homes and heating systems becoming increasingly connected, the benefits are continuing to grow. With the Internet of Things (IoT) powering technology, users can control their heating wherever and whenever they want to. They can easily regulate temperatures when they need to, allowing you to schedule the house to warm up as you wake up and for your arrival. Not only this, but it allows you to save on heating when you’re away. These benefits demonstrate why smart heating devices have become so crucial to homes in 2019.
For those who would like to do more to reduce their energy consumption and their heating bill, they must take into account reliability and overall performance when choosing the right heating solutions for their home. The good news is that heating products currently on the market are more efficient than ever thanks to innovations resulting from research and development. The right heating system will be one that adapts to your everyday home routine and begins saving you money. By setting your home to certain temperatures as quickly as possible, the app will help you to do just that.
Take control of your energy consumption
With the explosion of apps, it’s now possible to take control of at home appliances including heating, lighting and entertainment systems. Not only does this make it easier for individuals to control their appliances for heating in particular, it allows individuals to take control of their energy on the go to reduce their long-term energy consumption. With smart home assistants such as Google Assistant and Alexa joining the band wagon, it makes it easier than ever to control your heating. You can ask them to set your heating at a certain temperature, increase/decrease the heating and check what temperature your home is at.
Smart heating systems will enable users to personalise their home environment according to their needs by allowing them to control the temperature and schedule in their home completely independently. By starting with a smart room thermostat and building a full multi-room system over time, this simple upgrade to heating appliances will have a huge impact on overall comfort, convenience and energy bills.
Wiser Heat, a smart heating system by Schneider Electric, is one such solution. Wiser links radiator thermostats through the Internet of Things (IoT), while a phone app provides users convenient and complete control over home heating. This kind of IoT solution allows users to monitor the temperatures of individual rooms and change them remotely via their smartphone, wherever they are.
Home improvers may now be striving for smarter, more connected homes, but they want something that’s plug and play. Smart heating systems fit the bill as they have no wires, no installation and no mess and of course, are better for the environment. Adopting technology like this is necessary if people want to reduce their energy consumption in the future. The most modern heating solutions will be key in facilitating smarter, more energy efficient homes for the benefit of our wallets and our planet.
This article was written by Nico van der Merwe, Vice President of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric.
Our curated selection of product news this March features sleek screwless flat plates for streamlining your unsightly plug sockets, bespoke contemporary rugs inspired by glass objects and built-for-business office aquariums designed to boost employee wellbeing!
Schneider Electric present understated wiring devices with the Ultimate range
Ultimate Screwless flat plate provides one of the most comprehensive ranges of beautifully crafted, sleek, sophisticated fittings on the market. With only 1.5mm front plate depth, this cutting edge screwless design blends seamlessly onto wall surfaces. More choice, more style, and packed with innovative technical features for easy installation. It is available in a variety of colours, such as stainless steel, polished chrome, pearl nickel, black nickel, polished brass, gloss white piano black or transparent. With the option of producing exclusive made to order finishes to match your project needs. These colours are dark bronze, jet black, antique brass and bright white.
Introducing Everlux brassware finishes by Roca
Roca is pushing the boundaries of traditional brassware with the introduction of its new Everlux finishes for selected brassware lines including Insignia, Naia and Lanta in the exclusive PVD coating for a selection of coloured finishes including; Gold, Titanium Black and Rose Gold.
Deirdre Dyson launched new rug collection, Looking Glass
Deirdre Dyson’s new rug collection for 2020, ‘Looking Glass’ launched at Maison et Objet, Paris in January. These hand knotted designs were inspired by Deirdre’s observations of colours and forms through glass, glass objects and water. Nine new designs take her carpets in an entirely different direction – Deirdre uses the interplay of wool, silk and grading together with bold shots of colour to recreate glassy effects to stunning effect. All Deirdre Dyson carpets are bespoke and can be made in any size or colourway required with the new collection on display at the Deirdre Dyson Gallery on 554 Kings Road.
Italian Luxury Surfaces join the ArtiCAD Supplier Partnership Programme
Italian Luxury Surfaces, sole UK distributor of Stone Italiana’s innovative range of quartz worktops, has joined the ArtiCAD Supplier Partnership Programme. The company’s beautifully manufactured surfaces are now available as a comprehensive graphics catalogue within the ArtiCAD-Pro software to help designers differentiate their designs and add value to their customers. Philip Winter, sales and marketing director, Italian Luxury Surfaces explains “We wanted to ensure that designers can access high-quality, accurate graphics of our products and create inspirational, photo realistic designs for their customers.”
ViDERE showcases its built-for-business Aquariums
ViDERE’s range of office aquariums are designed to help companies improve their working environment and employee wellbeing by helping people connect with nature. Designed in the UK and manufactured in Germany with a contemporary matt finish, each tank is built to the highest standard. Made with low iron glass to eliminate distortion and provide remarkable clarity, the tanks are mitred at the seams with high strength structural silicone and built with composite panels sprayed with a versatile and waterproof polyurethane lacquer for durability.
Surprisingly, there is no current UK legislation to control the composition of quartz work surfaces, nor set a minimum material performance standard for the quartz materials marketed and sold in the UK. SBID Accredited Industry Partner, Italian Luxury Surfaces expresses concerns over consumer safety and the importance of proper material certification as the Sales & Marketing Director, Phil Winter tells us more.
The quartz manufacturers who currently hold independent verification of their material quality, do so voluntarily or because consumer protection legislation in other markets demands it. There are three recognised dangers posed by untested & uncertified quartz materials. These are the potentially harmful levels of VOC emissions (Volatile Organic Compounds), the micro porosity that can make the surface difficult to clean or sanitise and most importantly, the surface finish leaching of toxic chemicals that can contaminate food.
The Risk of VOC
The VOC risk within quartz comes from the ‘resin’ element, the composition of which is often unknown, and it can vary hugely from manufacturer to manufacturer. Typically, the resin content when measured by weight, represents between 7% – 15% of the material. By volume, the resin proportion is much higher. Because VOC’s are volatile, these compounds vaporize and emit gasses, even long after the quartz has been formed and fabricated. Paint, for example, emits only half of its VOCs in the first year after application.
Marc Lallanilla, a sustainable living and green design expert, and Member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, summarized the issue in stark language in his recent article, ‘VOCs are linked to a range of health problems, including some very serious diseases. Benzene, for example, is one of several VOCs that’s known to cause cancer. It’s not suspected, it’s known, beyond any doubt. Other health effects besides cancer include kidney damage, liver damage, damage to the central nervous system (including the brain), as well as minor complaints like headaches and eye, throat, and nose irritation’.
Consumer Misconception
An understandable misconception made by consumers, designers and interior architects alike is to assume that ‘country of origin’ or familiarity of a brand name provides a guarantee on a specific quartz material’s test and certification status. It does not. Fully certified quartz surfaces originate from all parts of the globe and worryingly, so do many currently uncertified and therefore potentially harmful quartz materials.
Thankfully, responsible counterparts within the kitchen industry are now starting to act, insisting that their sales and design teams are communicating the importance of only specifying independently tested and certified worktops to their customers. But many continue to place their customers at potential risk.
The only way to be 100% sure that your own quartz work surface is not placing the users at risk is to check if your quartz brand is certified for low VOC emissions by visiting www.greenguard.org. For material composition and food contact suitability, you can also check www.nsf.org.
Sadly, there are those within the kitchen industry who choose to hide behind the consumers’ ignorance of the very real health risks posed by poor quality quartz materials, with excuses such as, ‘no one has ever asked me for it’ when referring to material certifications or worse still ‘they won’t pay for it’, inferring that somehow a low price absolves the specifier from a professional duty of care towards their clients.
How are quartz surfaces certified?
When a surface is tested and certified by NSF International for food contact, they verify the composition of the material and they certify that the finish will not leach toxic chemicals that could contaminate food. Since quite literally anyone could mix their own blend of random materials, ‘bake it’ and sell it as ‘quartz’ in the UK.
Materials certified for specification in a ‘Food Zone’ are also evaluated for the temperature they can withstand before degradation occurs. High temperature resistance being an indicator of resin stability and therefore material quality and safety.
NSF’s testing is less stringent for materials designed to be specified and used in ‘Splash Zones’, where the focus is on durability, construction and clean-ability. Here micro porosity of quartz has practical issues as well as health risks. Materials with porosity are more susceptible to staining as the (relatively) open structure creates pockets that fluids can fill, discolouring the surface.
It would be incorrect to say that all untested and uncertified quartz materials are definitely dangerous. Until they are tested that is of course unknown. Equally, unless regulators insist that the quartz brand owners, importers and manufacturers submit their products to suitably qualified and independent agencies for testing, it is not possible to say with any certainty that they are 100% safe.
Verifying Certification Claims
Worryingly, the growing trend of unscrupulous manufacturers claiming certification they do not have has forced NSF to issue a warning on their website as they are “concerned about fraudulent downloading and manipulation of website text.” Encouraging consumers to always confirm this information by obtaining accurate information, here.
No doubt there will be manufacturers and agents of other consumer product groups reading this article with a degree of disbelief. Most likely, reflecting on the rigorous R&D work and testing that they will have done. Quite rightly, they will be wondering how this vital element of a 21st century kitchen has escaped regulation!
Do the right thing, protect your family and clients by only using NSF 51 and GREENGUARD certified quartz.
Phil Winter is the Sales & Marketing Director at Italian Luxury Surfaces, the sole UK Distributor of Stone Italiana. Previously, Phil has had the privilege of working with some of the most respected brands in the Kitchen & Interiors industry, such as Poggenpohl, bulthaup, Gaggenau and Bosch.
This article was written by Phil Winter, Sales & Marketing Director at Italian Luxury Surfaces.
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