Forget your classic red – this year’s Brit List Awards’ carpet was aglow with neon energy, biophilic beauty, and the unmistakable artistry of Balsan. Discover how the French manufacturer brought its wild design to life…
As one of the most anticipated events in the hospitality design calendar, The Brit List Awards 2025 celebrated the visionaries shaping the future of hotel design.
This year, the spotlight shone even brighter with Balsan returning as Red Carpet Sponsor, setting the scene for an unforgettable evening with a bespoke design inspired by the 2025 theme: Take a Walk on the Wild Side…
Image credit: Balsan
Designing with a difference
In true Balsan fashion, the red carpet wasn’t actually red at all (bar a few flashes of the hue). Instead, it was a bold expression of neon vibrancy and biophilic energy – a celebration of nature meeting modernity.
Designed by Balsan’s in-house designer, Jo Woods, the bespoke carpet captured the essence of this year’s Brit List Awards theme through organic patterns, dynamic colour, and high-fashion precision.
“Every year, The Brit List celebrates individuality and imagination within the hospitality sector, and our carpet design reflects exactly that,” said Jo Woods. “We wanted to create something that felt alive – capturing the vibrancy and energy of the designers, architects and hoteliers walking across it. Neon tones inject a playful modernity, while biophilic elements ground the design in nature. It’s a true balance of art and innovation.”
Image credit: Balsan
French heritage, British creativity
Founded in 1751, Balsan has spent over two and a half centuries redefining textile flooring through artistry, innovation and environmental responsibility.
With roots in France’s Loire Valley and a growing presence in the UK, Balsan continues to collaborate with leading designers, hoteliers and architects worldwide – delivering flooring that blends luxury with longevity.
At the core of its creative DNA lies MBrodery technology, which allows the creation of rich, textured patterns with couture-level precision. From intricate lace-like weaves to sculptural motifs, this innovation elevates textile flooring into a true design statement.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Balsan’s Level Cut Loop (LCL) technology, a process that revolutionised textile flooring by combining cut and loop pile in a single structure. The result is depth, tactility and relief unlike anything else in the industry.
Balsan remains the only manufacturer capable of deploying LCL in both broadloom and tile formats using solution-dyed recycled yarns, delivering artistic yet durable solutions for hospitality spaces.
Image credit: Balsan
Sustainability meets style
Behind every Balsan carpet also lies a commitment to responsible design and conscious manufacturing.
Balsan’s products are crafted using 100% solution-dyed polyamide yarns, ensuring long-lasting vibrancy and resistance to fading, even under heavy foot traffic. Many collections feature ECONYL regenerated yarns, made from recycled fishing nets and industrial waste – proving that sustainability and luxury can coexist beautifully.
For The Brit List Awards, sustainability was integral to the creative process. The neon-biophilic carpet was produced using solution-dyed fibres, significantly reducing water and energy consumption. Balsan’s closed-loop recycling systems ensure all production aligns with its Green Spirit initiative.
“Sustainability isn’t about compromise,” added Jo. “It’s about creativity with conscience – proving that environmentally responsible design can be every bit as bold, expressive and luxurious.”
Image credit: Balsan
Setting the stage
For Balsan, The Brit List Awards represented more than a partnership – it was a celebration of design excellence and collaboration across the hospitality industry.
“We’re thrilled to once again partner with Hotel Designs for this year’s awards,” said Matt Hall, Country Manager for Balsan UK & Ireland. “It’s a moment where creativity, community and craftsmanship all come together. Flooring is not just a backdrop – it’s the foundation of exceptional interiors. Our role is to help designers bring their visions to life, layer by layer.”
The art of customisation
Beyond the red carpet, Balsan continues to lead the conversation around customisation and decorative flooring innovation.
Collections such as Carré Couture, Unique Territoire, and Encre – with its sophisticated overprinting technology – allow designers to transform concepts into reality.
The newly expanded Encre collection showcases Balsan’s mastery of layering tone, texture and depth, enabling full personalisation of every project.
Through the Balsan Design Studio, architects and designers can bring bespoke ideas to life – whether for a boutique hotel, luxury spa, or destination restaurant. And with seamless collaboration between Balsan’s UK design team and French production experts, every project benefits from creative partnership and precision engineering.
Balsan is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Balsan
