Known for its window solutions, Edmund Bell reveals a deeper design story through an upholstery collection that combines tactile elegance with contract-grade performance…
In hospitality design, certain names become synonymous with specific product categories. Edmund Bell is one of them, widely recognised for its expertise in curtain linings, blackouts and sheers. But beyond these familiar touchpoints lies a quieter, less widely recognised strength – upholstery.
It is perhaps one of the industry’s best-kept secrets, that Edmund Bell offers a comprehensive upholstery range suitable for hotels and other contract environments. Yet for designers seeking materials that balance performance with a refined aesthetic, it is a collection worth revisiting.
Crush | Image credit: Edmund Bell
A shift towards tactile, layered interiors
As hotel interiors continue to evolve, there has been a noticeable shift towards spaces that feel more residential, more tactile and more considered. Upholstery plays a central role in achieving this, softening architectural lines, adding depth and encouraging a sense of comfort that today’s guests increasingly expect.
Edmund Bell’s upholstery range responds to this demand with a selection of fabrics that prioritise texture as much as tone. Rather than dominating a scheme, these fabrics are designed to sit comfortably within it, supporting layered, cohesive interiors.
Take Crush, for example. With its softly distressed appearance and rich, tactile finish, it introduces a sense of relaxed luxury that works particularly well in lounge areas and guestrooms aiming for a more informal, lived-in feel.
In contrast, Aspen offers a more structured aesthetic. Its woven texture delivers subtle visual interest while maintaining a clean, contemporary look, making it a versatile choice for schemes that favour understated design.
Aspen | Image credit: Edmund Bell
Performance, without compromise
Of course, in hospitality settings, visual appeal is only part of the story. Upholstery must perform, often under significant pressure. Edmund Bell’s approach is grounded in this reality. Fabrics within the range are developed to meet the demands of high-traffic environments, offering durability, resilience and ease of maintenance without sacrificing comfort.
New additions to the collection further reinforce this balance – Ripple brings a refined, textural quality to upholstery with its gently undulating surface. The design introduces movement and depth in a subtle, controlled way, ideal for interiors that prioritise restraint over statement.
Behind its soft aesthetic lies a robust specification. With a weight of 485gsm and achieving 50,000 Martindale rubs, Ripple is engineered for longevity. Strong pilling and rub fastness results, combined with a flame-retardant back coating and compliance with key international fire standards, make it a dependable choice for demanding hospitality environments. Available in 13 considered colourways, it offers both versatility and quiet confidence.
Ripple | Image credit: Edmund Bell
Material innovation meets modern expectations
Sustainability continues to influence material choices across the hospitality sector, and upholstery is no exception. Reflecting this shift, Edmund Bell has introduced Lavish, a recycled velvet upholstery fabric that brings a more conscious approach to specification.
Velvet has long been associated with luxury interiors, but Lavish reinterprets this classic material for contemporary projects, combining softness and depth of colour with a more responsible composition. It allows designers to retain a sense of indulgence while aligning with evolving environmental priorities.
A collection worth bringing into focus
For many in the design community, Edmund Bell’s upholstery offering may not yet be front of mind. But as hospitality interiors become increasingly layered, tactile and performance-driven, the role of upholstery continues to grow in importance.
With fabrics such as Crush, Aspen, Ripple and Lavish, the collection demonstrates a clear understanding of what modern hotel schemes demand: materials that are as durable as they are design-led.
For those already specifying Edmund Bell for window treatments, the upholstery range presents an opportunity to extend that relationship, bringing consistency, reliability and a cohesive material palette across the entire scheme.
And for those discovering it for the first time, it may just be the missing layer in creating interiors that feel as good as they look.
Edmund Bell 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: Edmund Bell
