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One of the perks of my job is being able to see the progression of hotels from mere ideas and drawings right through to the bricks and mortar of a completed project. And one thing that always fascinates me is how much (and sometimes how little) the finished product can differ from the concept first visualised by designers and architects.So, it’s a welcome treat to be given a guided tour of a hotel and its eventual form by one of the people commissioned to design it — as I recently got to do with Dexter Moren of the eponymous firm of associates at the Hilton London Bankside.

Located in what is now one of the most fashionable and ‘trendy’ areas of the capital, this five-star property built on the site of a former banknote recycling shed might never have come to fruition. Bankside’s industrial past and ‘rustic’ character meant that Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) and design firm Twenty2Degrees were originally briefed to create a mixed development combining a budget hotel, conference and leisure facilities — something more befitting of the surroundings at the time; as ‘south of the river wasn’t the place for five-star properties at the time’, Dexter reminds me.

Fast forward a decade and then some — the ever-growing reputation of The Globe, the Tate Modern and more recently The Shard — and throw in the considerable money spent on regenerating the area; the brief was clearly changed to combine those separate ‘sectors’ into one urban-inspired and luxurious property. Thankfully, for those of us now lucky enough to see the end product first-hand, the Hilton group agreed to back developers Splendid Hotels. And the rest, as they say, is history…

Off the bat, it’s clear to see the exterior of the hotel is heavily inspired by the cutting edge, artistic modernity of its locale. Dexter explains to me the rationale behind the separate but thematically-connected facades of the two adjoining elements of the building and their differing heights (restrictions on building any higher than current and proposed neighbours meant one element had to be lower than the other), both use a striking combination of traditional brickwork and metallic cladding, all of which go to fit in with the surrounding buildings.

Arriving at the hotel via the porte-cochere is the perfect segue between the exterior and interior, with its stunning pressed tinwork on the ceiling and dazzling display of bespoke industrial lights designed by DMA and Twenty2Degrees — hinting at the fact that the inside will continue the ‘design voice’ proudly expressed on the outside. Likewise, the lobby area echoes the clearly defined theme running throughout and, as with so many of the hotel’s public spaces, particularly impressive here is the lighting fixture specifically designed for the high-ceilinged reception area.

Again, I’m struck by the delicate balance of industrial chic and clean-lined elegance that has been achieved. Also, unlike many hotels I’ve visited in the past, the executive lounge is situated on the ground floor and while still retaining a sumptuous feel and serene atmosphere — as well as a stunning light well letting in natural light — it has been built to back onto the kitchen facilities for the ease of access for staff, who have a centralised point of entry for each food and beverage outlet thanks to clever design.

Little nods to the Bankside history run throughout the design of the hotel’s F&B offerings too; namely the Distillery Bar and the restaurant OXBO. The former is a destination cocktail venue with old world charm, the name of which is a reference to the Stephenson & Howell Standard Works distillery that occupied part of the site during the 1800s. The latter has been designed with both exclusivity and functionality in mind – perforated steel screens provide privacy in the open space as well as being strategically positioned to allow for smaller groups of guests to ensure the restaurant retains a ‘lively’ vibe — being both the dining space for hotel guests and a walk-in option for non-guests.

Many of the decorative items, such as the crystal decanters have been sourced from local markets and antiques dealers in Bermondsey and Spitalfields and are combined to give the space a light-hearted, authentic feel. The lighting is a bespoke design for the restaurant and was manufactured by British lighting company Northern Lights and Danish company Fransden Project. The restaurant’s wide range of cuisine is hinted at by the ’Mounted Not Stuffed’ artwork by David Farrer, a cornucopia of papier-mâché animal heads scattered throughout the restaurant.

It’s here I can make a quick aside to the fantastic Penny Wall in the bar, designed to reflect the aforementioned use of the site as a banknote warehouse, which contains nearly 17,000 hand-applied pennies and sits impressively on a wall that had to be reinforced to take the extra weight. With coins dating from 1864 and an opportunity for civic leaders, dignitaries and the local community to add a penny to the wall themselves, it’s the hotel fitting into its surroundings in a very real and actionable way.

Moving upstairs and the guestrooms have not been exempted from the industrial, London aesthetic. The corridor carpets, with their brown and green hues and again designed by Twenty2Degrees and DMA, were commissioned to reflect the ‘ebb and flow’ of the River Thames just a stone’s throw away.

With the guestroom materials including concrete-effect wall coverings and limed timber, these sharp materials are contrasted by sleek Italian-style furniture and upholstery as well as winged headboards that create the warmth required in luxurious rooms. Bold greys dominate in the bathrooms – floor and half-wall tiles combine with the pale travertine tiling on the rest of the walls to create a clean, clinical feel.

And one of the elements of room design that I found most interesting and useful was the separate entrance area for ‘adjoining’ rooms — rather than an adjoining entrance built into the wall of each room, both rooms have an individual front door behind a centralised front door to create a ‘hallway’ of sorts. As Dexter pointed out, this helps with noise control between the rooms and offers an added layer of privacy — especially for those travelling with families.

But the jewel in the crown of this slick, stylish hotel is the grand ballroom on the sub-ground level. The breath-taking space is something the hotel (and Dexter himself) are very proud of — and rightly so. With a separate entrance built at the rear of the hotel building to allow event or function attendees to arrive separately from the hullabaloo of the main entrance, the ballroom is accessed in grand style by a sweeping staircase with marble treads, brass handrail and smoked glass balustrade.

Aside from the sheer scale of the space, the luxury and attention to detail marks this as a wonderfully unique location in the heart of the capital. It is designed to be flexible, with as little or as much space an event may require on offer as well as being able to open out to include balcony areas and the lobby for arrivals or break-outs. The dark walls are complemented by a pale carpet and subtly patterned wall-covering. For me, however, the centrepiece is the inclusion of ultra-modern chandeliers whose individual, interlinked cubed LED lights are a work of ingenuity and beauty.

And that’s the best way to summarise the Hilton London Bankside — a combination of brilliant and beautiful design. From the use of space – like the well-equipped gym and 17-metre swimming pool hidden away underground – to the bold and memorable interiors, Dexter Moren’s team and Twenty2Degrees have created a property with a clear and cemented identity. The brief to create a luxurious hotel in this part of London has been met and exceeded. But it’s in the little touches that this project truly shines. From the playful ‘Urban Fox’ motif referenced subtly more than 100 times throughout the hotel including in the bedrooms — in reference to a fox that would visit the site during construction — to the work of young British artists scattered throughout the property in a tribute to the Tate Modern around the corner.

A Hilton-branded hotel, which has more in common with a boutique offering than a cookie-cutter repeat, which from pavement to bedroom makes it very clear that it ‘belongs’ in its up-and-coming locale south of the Thames, that keeps luxury prevalent throughout and is designed with detail at the forefront? A project I never thought I’d see — but thanks to Dexter and the work of his team, the reality is better than the imaginings of this humble journalist. Bravo…

Burgess Furniture was proud to officially launch our first showroom in Dubai on the 21st May 2014. Located in Design House in Dubai’s Media City, the showroom features a large selection of our chairs, tables and accessories. Having supplied the Middle East for over 43 years and with the ever expanding hospitality market in the region, we felt it was time to have a base where our clients can stop by and try out our products.The opening will bring the network of offices, distributors and agents to 16 in the world and is testimony to the extraordinary success Burgess has enjoyed with its ever expanding product ranges.

Burgess caters for every taste among its discerning customer base, we now have 22 ranges of chairs, 12 ranges of tables and a large range of accessories to complement.

Our objective is to continue to be the first-choice supplier for conference and banqueting furniture and to align our products and solutions more closely to our customers’ requirements. The showroom allows us to meet our clients in a relaxed environment to discuss their needs and to showcase our latest and best selling products.

Burgess welcomed a large number of guests to the official opening, interior designers, architects and buyers were all able to view the latest range of Burgess Products.

To arrange a visit to our new showroom for a guided tour please call Baiju Jamaludin on:

+971 (0)50 280 8916
bjamaludin@burgessfurniture.com

Design House
Dubai Media City
Al Sufouh 1
Dubai P.O. Box 500466
United Arab Emirates

Photos courtesy of CPI

Ascot is here and with it a new range of lampshades to celebrate. Renowned lampshade specialist, A Shade Above has launched a uniquely different range of lampshades and a lamp base inspired by a love of hats and all things millinery. These bespoke shades are fully customisable and allow those that commission them to add a touch of their own personality and heritage by choosing fabric combinations and even providing their own vintage jewellery or family heirloom.

Pat Blake, the founder of A Shade Above, is to lampshades what Philip Treacy is to hats!

“I have always loved hats in old films and Cecil Beaton design and wanted to create a lampshade with lots of detail and flamboyance! The lampbase that my daughter and I designed was inspired by a hat stand and it’s a simple, elegant design, perfectly complementing the lampshade.”

It doesn’t need a bookie to recognise that these shades are heading for the winning post…

A Shade Above is nearly 30 years old and specialises in exquisite handmade bespoke lampshades for the interior design and lighting industries.

Honoured for its minimalistic design combined with high functionality, Laufen’s Pro S range of sanitaryware and furniture has been recognised with the Red Dot Design Award 2014. Launched last year, the Pro S collection, designed for Laufen by Peter Wirz, features a wide selection of washbasins, plus a water-saving, geometric-shaped WC and matching bidet. The WC’s ergonomically designed seat maximises on comfort for the user. The Pro S range is completed by a range of furniture base units, available in a variety of finishes including glossy white, matt white, wenge or graphite.

The prestigious Red Dot Design Award gives Laufen’s Pro S a seal of quality which will appeal to consumers looking for not only a well-designed bathroom collection, but one that is also user-friendly and sustainable.

“The Award proves that through continuous further development even functional products with a good price-performance ratio and timeless design are modern and of a sustainable value,“ comments Laufen’s Director of Marketing and Products, Marc Viardot.

He continues: “A good, timeless design is especially important in the bathroom because this is where lasting investment decisions are made. Design awards give consumers and planners the confidence that they are choosing a sustainable design that will have an aesthetic appearance even after many years.“

Over the past twelve years, South African luxury brand Charlotte Rhys established itself as a market leader in the 5 star hospitality sector. The company manufactures premium toiletries and an extensive range of add-on amenities for the comfort and convenience of hotel guests. Among its hundreds of customers are the One and Only Hotel in both Cape Town and Mauritius, Ellerman House and Cape Grace in Cape Town, the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe, eleven Relais et Chateau properties in South Africa, and The Address Group in Dubai. And now, this ultra-luxurious, eco-friendly, cruelty-free brand is available in the United Kingdom.The company’s singular focus on excellence and innovation, and its ability to align brand value within a company culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility, makes it stand out amongst its peers. As a result it has acquired a devoted following of hotel guests from around the world. Its unique formulations are developed at its factory in Cape Town using natural, organic and botanic ingredients, and all its products are biodegradable, free of petrochemicals, artificial colourants, parabens and PEGS, packaged in 70% recycled and recyclable containers, and accredited by world anti-cruelty watchdog, Beauty Without Cruelty.

With increasing pressure on the hospitality sector to become environmentally responsible and sustainable in the way it operates, the Charlotte Rhys brand meets a growing demand for products that are sophisticated and luxurious, and yet, at the same time, fully address the ethical and environmental concerns of hotel guests.

The company is confident it has an exciting and original product to offer UK hoteliers, and the motivation and experience to meet their highest expectations in terms of service delivery.

Says Shaun McDermott, Joint MD of Charlotte Rhys “We are proud that the brand maintains a balance between technology and nature, providing our customers with premium quality, innovation and design, without compromising our ethos of sustainability”

Enquiries (27 (21) 702 1338 enquiries@charlotterhys.co.za

Macdonald Compleat Angler (see review from 2009 here), which overlooks the River Thames in Marlow, Buckinghamshire has invested a substantial amount in a refurbishment programme, which sees the hotel enter a new chapter in its long history. Interior public areas have been transformed into a stylish blend of contemporary design, whilst maintaining the original features of the hotel. The centrepiece of the upgrade is the opening of the new Riverside Restaurant, which has stunning views of Marlow weir and the Thames, as well as the redesigned Walton Bar and reception area.

The hotel has worked working closely with the interior designers, THR3 Design, to ensure the new furnishings complement the style and elegance of the hotel and its idyllic riverside location.

One side of the newly-named Walton Bar now features a more contemporary design with a polished dark oak wood floor, while the other half has a more classic feel softened with carpets; there is some fixed seating plus comfortable tub-style and high backed chairs in shades which compliment the scheme. The walls feature the original oak panelling and a selection of prints illustrating reproductions of the original artwork plates from the book The Compleat Angler.

The Riverside Restaurant has been designed to retain a fine dining aesthetic while still serving as a functional breakfast space for hotel guests. In the newly re-roofed conservatory area the design flows through to complete the feel of this unique hotel located on the banks of the Thames, with the addition of a temperature controlled wine display area where guests can view and select their own wine to accompany their meals.

Furnishings have been specially selected from a range of high-end fabric houses including Zoffany. Also bespoke cabinet items have been designed and tailor made to complement the feel of the restaurants, with the addition of Chelsom pendants lighting to ensure that the overall finish is to the highest possible specification.

The hotel’s two executive boardrooms have also received a significant upgrade including the installation of a new, state-of-the-art interactive SMARTboard in the Balmoral meeting room, which also has a private outdoor decked area.

Rated one of the top hotels in England with four coveted AA red stars, Macdonald Compleat Angler is also part of The Macdonald Hotels’ Signature Collection.

Dating back to the 17th century, the hotel takes its name from Isaak Walton’s world-famous book on angling. Most of the 64 rooms and suites have lovely river views while others are within sight and sound of cascading water over Marlow Weir.

Conveniently close to the M4 and M40, Macdonald Compleat Angler is perfectly placed, close to Windsor and Henley for executive board meetings and walking by the river. The hotel was also part of a £1million group-wide investment by Macdonald Hotels to offer free, unlimited WiFi powered by The Cloud.

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts recently celebrated being named AA Hotel Group of the Year 2013/14.

Leading UK shower manufacturer and designer, Roman is delighted to announce that they will be running an exclusive promotion for their Retail Partners to celebrate the Summer of Football.
Roman’s exclusive promotion offers their Retailers a complementary football ‘Fanbox’ with every Decem Shower Enclosure, Wetroom Panel, Bath Screen; or Lumin8 Shower Enclosure they order from the 12th June through to the 9th July 2014.

The Decem collection features 10mm thick glass, chromed brass components, a frameless finish and stands at a height of 2000mm. Uniquely the Decem Range also offers a choice of hardware options. Designers and consumers can choose between square or round hinges and designer handle, to achieve a look to suit their space.

The stunning Lumin8 collection from Roman provides showering solutions to meet all requirements, whilst bringing a touch of luxury into the bathroom. The range includes diverse options of designs and sizes available to provide something for every bathroom, whilst also being extremely competitively priced. The Lumin8 range stands elegantly at a height of 1950mm with toughened 8mm thick glass.

The ‘Fanboxes’ will include all the essentials needed to keep you going throughout the football matches, including savoury snacks, sweet snacks, a bottle of wine or Brazilian beer along with a Roman branded football stress ball.

Roman will also be offering the retailers a chance to win an extra prize each week on Twitter, as they are holding weekly twitter football competitions using the hashtag #Fanbox.

David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman, commented: “We hope our promotion receives a lot of interest from our retailers and adds to their excitement and enjoyment of the Tournament this summer – and good luck to England!”

International wall covering manufacturer, Dixon Turner Interior Surfaces has added another superb set of products to its ever expanding portfolio. Dixon Turner are proud to be the exclusive UK suppliers of Decostone, a product from Swiss company Decolan. Decolan have been leading suppliers of HPL and other decorative surfaces for over 20 years. They have a dedicated R&D department, and select only the most cutting edge and innovative finishes to become a part of their product range. Decostone is supplied in 1220 x 610mm sheets with larger sheets available on selected slates. Thanks to the polyester resin and fiberglass that is applied to the back of the stone sheets, Decostone is flexible (similar to a laminate) and can be easily fitted to curved surfaces such as pillars and wall. The changing colours, vivid patterns and unique textures combine to make each sheet a feast to the eyes. Each of the 16 different varieties available have their very own individual beauty in look and texture, showing a unique design that is both classic and modern. With no two sheets ever the same, each Decostone application is special and distinctive.

This real split stone is waterproof, fire retardant and environmentally friendly. The veneers are split into thickness of 1.0 – 2.0mm from large real stone slabs, capturing a natural array of patterns and colours, making each sheet a unique creation of Mother Nature. Each sheet is extremely lightweight, weighing just over 1.5KG per m2, allowing a real stone finish to applications that would be nearly impossible with traditional stone.

Decostone provides an aesthetically inspiring finish. It’s a fantastic choice for feature walls, executive suites, grand receptions and spas. Hard wearing and incredibly durable, the stone can be used outdoors for exterior wall cladding as well as indoors, allowing designers to ensure a contemporary theme runs throughout all areas of a building. It is not just an innovative product, but an ideal choice for a world class finish and an eye catching result, which will both inspire and stimulate.

Dixon Turner have chosen to be the exclusive supplier to this beautiful range of products in the UK, offering fantastic customer service, technical support and specialist advise for this fashionable and stand out décor that is set to take the interiors world by storm.

Morgan is pleased to announce that the winner of ‘The Lost Art of Sketching’ iPad competition is Adam O’Neill, Associate at Steffian Bradley Architects. Adam was one of hundreds of visitors to the new Morgan showroom, which was officially launched during Clerkenwell Design Week, 20-22nd May.Presented with the winning prize of a new iPad, Adam comments, “I was walking around Clerkenwell researching products and hadn’t planned to take part in the sketching workshop, so to end up winning the competition is a marvellous outcome. Discovering the new Morgan showroom was also really opportune as I am currently working on a project that their furniture could be ideal for. I’ll definitely be coming back in to see if Morgan can help with my brief.”

Part of the three day event programme for Clerkenwell Design Week, the competition was directed by the talented Stewart Dodd of Satellite Architects. Stewart ran interactive workshops sharing insights into the history of sketching and then participants sketched their favourite Morgan chair using pen and paper or an iPad. Stewart comments, “Being able to draw is like being able to speak a language.” Freed from the precision demanded by design software, sketching allows the designer to rapidly generate ideas without getting bogged down in detail, often reaching unimaginably creative solutions. Stewart referenced great names from history during his talks including Leonardo da Vinci, Charles and Ray Eames and Morgan’s own Design Director, Katerina McMahon.

Katerina explains how her own design process has been influenced by new technology, “The iPad is a wonderful tool for sketching. You can copy your sketch and develop it, colour it and edit it with all the drawing tools you can think of and no worries about mistakes, you can use a rubber on everything! There is still a long way to go however between the first concept sketches and the reality of a well designed product.”

By the end of the three days, dozens of sketches were displayed on a dedicated wall in the Morgan showroom; these were reviewed and judged by Stewart and Katerina who selected Adam O’Neill as the worthy winner.

Despite its delicate appearance, this delightful lounge chair from The Modern Garden Company is upholstered in an exceptionally tough weatherproof fabric. The frame is FSC teak, table tops are white, acrylic or stone.Dansk, consists of a low armchair, small side table and a coffee table.

Leading UK shower designer and manufacturer, Roman, have gone out of their way to deliver exceptional customer service, to help a customer with a unique predicament. Roman were contacted by a customer, who had purchased their Orbital Arc Shower Enclosure, which is a unique take on the Corner Enclosure, teamed with a low level Shower Tray, which allows trouble free access into the Enclosure.

The installer had begun to install the product, including the Shower Tray and Side Panels but he soon realised that due to the nature of the outward opening of the Shower Door it would clash with a beam that ran the full length of the room.

The customer contacted Roman’s customer service team to see if anything could be done to resolve the issue, such as a bespoke door being created. However, the Shower Door was curved glass, and this was not available as a bespoke product. Upon discussion with the customer and understanding the full situation, where she was obviously reluctant to remove all the parts of the Shower Enclosure as they had just been installed, Roman were determined to find a solution.

The leading UK shower manufacturer contacted their glass supplier to see if they could come up with a solution. After discussing the situation with their glass supplier it was arranged that a reduced height door could be created for the customer, which would swing underneath the beam, so the door could open and shut without any restriction.

David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman, commented: “A key benefit of being a British manufacturer is that we can offer such a high quality trusted service, including; specific sizes, designs and special bespoke products. We always aim to deliver the best customer service possible, to make sure all our customers are fully satisfied with their product and installation. We employ over 20 full time members of staff in our Customer Support Centre, who all receive comprehensive training to ensure the best possible advice is given to the customer.”

Chelsom bolster their international Sales team with the appointment of Ilya Pukhaev as their exclusive Russian Business Development Manager to be based in Moscow. Following what has been a successful foundation in to the Russian marketplace over the last eight years, Chelsom has recently appointed an exclusive Russian representative to enhance the continued international expansion of the Chelsom brand. The new appointment accompanies a significant increase in sales throughout Russia and a series of high profile projects including Four Seasons Moscow, Four Seasons St. Petersburg, Hilton Garden Inn Krasnodar, Hampton Samara, Swiss Hotel Sochi and numerous exclusive residential contracts.

Ilya Pukhaev has built up a solid career within the hospitality industry since graduating from University and has been working on behalf of Chelsom for over a year already as their Russian sales agent on a part time basis through their previous Russian trading partner. During this time Ilya has built up a number of key relationships within the industry and developed an extensive knowledge of Chelsom, both in terms of company ethos and product, along with a thorough understanding of the respective market place.

Company Director, Will Chelsom says: “We have been very diligent in our search for the right person to join our international Sales team and take on the responsibility of growing the brand within the Russian market place and Ilya is the ideal candidate for the newly created position. Having worked with us for the last 12 months, Ilya understands Chelsom and what we are trying to achieve and we are really excited about what this means for the future of Chelsom in Russia. He is certainly joining us at what is pivotal time for the company with a rebrand and the launch of our new collection weeks away and a number of significant Russian projects in production.”

Following the success of the Vermont collection, the Harlequin Studio has launched Zambezi, a luxurious collection of cut and uncut velvets. Zambezi has been specifically developed to meet the stringent demands of the contract market and is both hardwearing and fire retardant to Crib 5. A chic solution for contract interiors, the highly durable and practical fabrics are also suitable for domestic upholstery.In four strong geometric designs, including a barcode stripe and an abstract chevron motif, Zambezi’s architectural fabrics achieve added depth through layered textures, created using a mix of cut and uncut velvet techniques. The collection offers more than a nod to the glamorous motifs of the 1930s and encapsulates the effortless sophistication of the era, translated in a very contemporary manner.

These exceptionally sturdy weaves offer both style and durability and come in a kaleidoscopic colour palette of jewel and spice tones mixed together in a harmonious riot of vibrant hues.

Why are there so many trade shows? Do they have a future? You might say that I would say that wouldn’t I, but knowing the power of HotelDesigns as a web vehicle for advertisers I walk around trade shows wondering at the cost in time money etc. employed, against the kind of return.

Lately HotelDesigns has been averaging over 3,800 readers a day, some 115,000 visitors in a month, so a trade show that boasts of less than 4,000 visitors over 3 days does not impress. Couple this with a stand price of some £15,000 plus accommodation, staff costs, stand design and transport and it all starts to be a little baffling to me.
Where trade shows score of course is in the face to face contact, hand shaking and socialising. The latest recruit to the seemingly never ending stream of events is the May Design series at Excel. Excel is not a popular show venue, located as it in Docklands. Discussing this with people on stands talking of awful journey times of two hours from South London never mind the time it takes to get there from Manchester or Seaford reminds me of how much Earls Court will be missed. I make getting to Excel a bit of fun by Tubing it to North Greenwich and then getting the Emirates cable car across the river (flea free unlike a recent flight with the airline).

I have watched Docklands develop since the day I took a client along what is now the runway at Docklands Airport trying to show him how viable the area was for an hotel. He laughed at me then but the rash of neighbouring hotels (such as the adjacent A-loft) now open, and the first floatel in London along with over half million passengers arriving at the airport illustrate how designers can have a vision missing elsewhere…

Inside the hall there were an awful lot of young people making it look quite busy, but this was not the show but students of Regent and another London University using the location for their exam boards. Once through this throng the show itself was anything but busy. Indeed some stands were not even manned as bored sales staff absconded in the absence of visitors. It was possible to look down aisles and see no-one else.

The mix of stands was also weird with highly respected contract sales companies rubbing shoulders with strange retail outfits covering the cheap end of the market. One or two suppliers with both a contract arm and a retail side were happy with this mix, but some companies will not be returning as they felt the show lacked focus. With nothing there to hold the professional designers who surely do not buy retail, some of the talks were being delivered to only half a dozen people.

With many hoteliers looking for ways to maximise the functionality of each and every room in their hotel, the onus is on manufacturers to offer innovative, yet stylish ways to help hoteliers make the most of what they have. However, comfort remains key, so whether one person is staying in the room, or a whole family, it is vital that everyone can sleep soundly. Here, Chris Ward, marketing director for Hypnos, explores how hotels don’t have to forego comfort for style.Creating the right atmosphere and ambience are all important factors in producing the best possible experience for your guests, but regardless of whether your visitor is on a business or a leisure break, a comfortable and relaxing bed is what they look forward to most at the end of their day. Add sumptuous crisp bed linen, and the relaxation and comfort experience is increased further still.

Get your choice of bed wrong and it could result in some very unhappy customers, leaving negative reviews, so it’s crucial hoteliers select beds that will meet customer expectations.

It is well documented that a good night’s sleep can leave you feeling refreshed, looking younger and increase productivity at work, so a good bed should always be a key consideration for any hotelier.

With so many styles and comfort levels to choose from, it’s important that hotel owners establish what’s right for their customer. Firstly they should begin by analysing how the space is going to be used – will it be a single, twin, double or family room? Are you trying to make a bold, contemporary statement or create a more romantic look? Each room has its own considerations and you need to devise varying solutions to match.

Take a family bedroom. Three beds in one room can make the space look cluttered and not always conducive to a relaxing environment, especially if you find that half of the week the rooms tends to be occupied by single business people, so why not consider a double bed accompanied with a sofa bed? Sofa beds are also a useful way to convert a double room into a family room, increasing occupancy and also revenue. They transform in an instant and provide attractive, practical seating – and if you make the right choice and they can also act as a stylish, focal point for the room.

Hypnos’ range of sofa beds has been designed specifically for the requirements of the hotel market. With a variety of designs and deluxe finishes, hoteliers can coordinate the sofa bed with their interior design.

Zip and link beds are also popular for double rooms as they provide the versatility to turn a standard double room into a twin room.

Of course a bed must be more than just aesthetically pleasing – the right mattress is essential. Hypnos specialises in pocket sprung mattresses which are designed to actively minimise pressure points on the body, helping to increase blood circulation and alleviate tension. The independent movement of each individual pocket spring also means that the mattress will mould itself to your body, leading to a natural alignment of your spine.

By analysing what a hotel room is going to be used for, Hoteliers can get the most out of their space and create a stylish, comfortable sleeping solution which can be adapted to each individual customer’s needs.

A classic series with contemporary styling, the Sassafras timber frame of Wabi from The Modern Garden Company is hand woven with upholstery weave profile covered in Samo Rope or Aquatech. In a choice of 125 deep melange colours.Wabi consists of two and three seater sofas, a generous armchair and a stunning lawn-swing.

Urban14 is the striking new collection by Morris Contract Furniture. Ideal for use in every discerning diner, café, restaurant or bar, the collection comprises of a chair, bar stool, low stool and three tables of varying shape and size. The Urban14 armchair has a fully upholstered seat and back for complete comfort and a swivel mechanism for functionality. The chair’s compact footprint makes it a perfect fit for the busy modern interior.

The bar stool, low stool and matching drinks table are based around a central Acme threaded rod which creates a virtually unbreakable core in their construction.

Splayed timber legs and lacquered steel with exposed welds and fixings create hardwearing furniture with a chic, utilitarian aesthetic. This combination of style and substance is echoed in the design of the dining and poseur tables, which are made to order in square or rectangular format.

The Urban14 collection is manufactured in the UK using highest quality, responsibly sourced materials. This furniture is built to look good as well as to last.

The full collection is now on the Morris website.

Reflecting an era of elegance and style in the classically styled bathroom, the Bloomsbury collection from BAGNODESIGN includes a beautiful range of antique-style mirrors. Offering the perfect finishing touch to the sanitaryware, furniture and brassware in the Bloomsbury collection, the mirrors are timelessly decadent and designed to make a striking impression in the bathroom, but will fit just as seamlessly into other areas of the hotel, such as guest bedrooms and even public areas.

Emulating the air of elegant London living from the turn of the Century, through the roaring 20s and the classic era of the 1950s, each of the mirrors in the collection are named after a different area of the Capital and work equally as well in other areas of the home.

The Bloomsbury collection includes nine wall-mounted and one floor-standing mirror, each with its own distinctive styling. From the striking gold finish of Portobello, Sloane and Strand, through to the brushed nickel or chrome finish of Ellington, there is a mirror to suit any situation.

Preventing the build-up of germs and odour in the bathroom, Laufen has introduced a new rimless WC, featuring innovative flushing technology for increased levels of hygiene.The new Pro rimless WC from Laufen doesn’t have a flushing rim, giving nowhere for dirt and smells to linger. Instead, the water reaches every part of the inner bowl and gives germs and bacteria no chance to get established.

Not only does the rimless design of this new WC increase hygiene levels in the bathroom or cloakroom, but it also eradicates the problem of unsightly toilet cleaner bottles with bent necks, deodorising tablets and toilet brushes, as germs are effortlessly washed away, with nowhere to linger.

Available in both standard and compact versions to suit any sized bathroom, the Pro rimless WC from Laufen is quick and easy to clean, making it the ideal choice for not only domestic bathrooms, but for public facilities such as hotels and well frequented venues too.

The rimless WC flushes powerfully and without splashing, whether it uses 6 and 3 or 4.5 and 3 litres, with its minimal internal design giving a clear visual indication of its improved levels of hygiene.

Royal Warrant holder Hypnos has launched a brand new range of sumptuous mattress toppers. The collection has been designed especially for the hotel and hospitality markets to enhance not only guest comfort, but also to maximise guest protection from bed bugs while they sleep.The quilted mattress toppers – which are made in Hypnos’ Carbon Neutral workshops in Nottingham – offer a unique level of soft and ‘cocooning’ comfort and ensure that guests get the best night’s sleep possible.

Both sides of the topper are covered with HealthGuard™ infused fabric, a world leading anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti -bed bug treatment. The treatment also provides unprecedented hygienic advantages for guests with allergies as it works to keep allergens away from them while they sleep. This cutting-edge treatment provides the ultimate sleeping surface, with long-lasting protection against bed bugs and dust mites, ensuring guests have the safest and healthiest sleep environment possible.

Designed for the demands of the hotel market, the mattress topper collection conforms to BS 7177 Medium Hazard Ignition Source 5 (Crib 5) fire retardancy standards, enabling hotel owners to offer guests an unparalled level of protection while staying in their establishment.

The Tranquillity Supreme, Tranquillity Deluxe and Tranquillity Classic mattress toppers offer varying levels of comfort and can be ordered separately to go on top of an existing mattress, or can be ordered along with a new Hypnos mattress.

Terry Barber, sales director for Hypnos’ contract division, comments: “There is increasing pressure in the hospitality market to provide a differentiated service experience. While many hotels already offer a selection of pillows for guests to choose from during their stay, our mattress toppers can take this one step further and provide hoteliers with the flexibility to turn a firm mattress into a softer one; allowing hoteliers to tailor their mattresses to suit their guests.

“By offering a personalised level of comfort through our new mattress toppers, those in the hospitality sector can remain ahead of their competitors and ensure that they provide their guests with the most comfortable, and safest, night’s sleep possible.”

Editors Note:Its not just hotel beds that have this problems. Airline flat beds may also be in the picture for fleas and bedbugs – read about my experience with a leading airline, as I write under investigation by local Environmental Health officers

The elegant curved seating shell from The Modern Garden Company is the defining character of Tosca. The innovative wide braid is made up of a soft knitted textilene fabric encasing a pliable foam mousse. The water resistant knit is woven over the powder coated stainless steel frame. Tosca is finished with deep seat and back cushions.Designed by Monica Armani, the Tosca collection includes a generous daybed, 2 and 3 seat sofas and an armchair.

Leading UK shower manufacturer and designer, Roman, has launched a new 8mm thick glass range, incorporating an efficient space saving Pivot Door and a luxury smooth action Sliding Door. If you are looking for a contemporary collection of showering products to fit in with any bathroom décor or styling at a very competitive price, then Lumin8 is the perfect solution. The Lumin8 collection has been intricately designed to solve a variety of space restrictions that exist in the bathroom, whilst also presenting an opulent showering experience for the whole family.

The simplicity of the Lumin8 Pivot Door creates a supremely efficient space saving solution. The outward opening door takes up minimal external space as it protrudes less into the bathroom area, which then allows for the close positioning of bathroom fixtures and fittings. The Pivot Door can be fitted into an alcove or with a side panel for the corner situation and when a larger enclosure is required an in-line panel can also be installed.

The weight of the 8mm thick glass provides a smooth sliding door action for the Lumin8 Sliding Door Enclosure. The 8mm Sliding Door offers wide and easy access whilst allowing design flexibility for bathroom furniture and the showering space. The Enclosure exudes luxury with the effortless door action and generous door opening. The Shower Enclosure is easily accessed for cleaning with its ‘quick release’ roller bearings.

Both Lumin8 Shower Enclosures stand at an elegant height of 1950mm, presenting a contemporary feel with an ergonomic chromed brass handle, chromed brass hinges and modern bright silver framing. The Enclosures incorporate clear, low profile seals and magnet seals to ensure the minimalistic look of the Shower Enclosures.

All Roman Shower Enclosures are accompanied by a fully service backed Truelife Lifetime Guarantee, and Roman’s Ultra Care pre-coated glass protection.

David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman, commented: “We are delighted to present our new 8mm range of Shower Enclosures and Bath Screens, which present the ultimate minimalistic and contemporary design to fit in with any bathroom size, shape and décor. We have also launched a specific Bespoke Lumin8 Guide, which provides the Specifier with various design options for the range such as reduced height and reduced width, over height and over width and this can now be found on the ‘Downloads and Guides’ section of our website.”

With a bold contemporary feel, the Air system from The Modern Garden Company comprises 4 basic elements that may be configured or combined with back-plates and cushions to create sofas, daybeds or an armchair.The frame of Air is powder-coated stainless steel available in white or lava. The surface may be Iroko wood, with white or lava base, or aluminium with lava colour base only.

The Hotel Summit 2014, was held on the 12 – 13 May at Heythrop Park Resort, Oxfordshire, and is an annual event for Procurement professionals and hoteliers to source, sell, network and understand the trends that will determine the future of the hospitality industry. The event saw over 60 delegates and 30 suppliers visiting and exhibiting culminating in over 750 arranged meetings over the course of an intense 36 hours.The Forum’s proven format of pre-matched meetings is beneficial to all parties by exclusively targeting only the most qualified buyers and bringing them together with suppliers who are pertinent to their needs. The event focuses on productive one-to-one appointments and multiple networking opportunities throughout the day and a half to build valuable business relationships.

Alongside the face-to-face meetings, delegates had the opportunity to remain fully informed on the most critical issues and legislations facing today’s hotel, leisure and venue professionals and advancing their career by attending our series of fully comprehensive seminars covering topics that were pertinent to their role.

This year’s Hotel Summit was opened with a presentation by Lee Jamieson from Hotel Industry, who discussed “Positioning for success in 2014”.

Further seminars throughout the event featured excellent and well know speakers, including Andrew Porter from Spingate Consulting, with a presentation entitled “Getting the right facilities to support services to let your guests enjoy their stay”.

Adam Hamadache from Wow Guest Group, hosted a seminar on “The Wowing guests to drive more direct bookings” plus the ever popular Patrick Goff from Hotel Designs who spoke about “Redefining Luxury”. Finally, Jane Schofield from La Tour Hotel, held a seminar on “Living La Tour: developing a new company culture from day one” and Melvin Gold from Melvin Gold Consulting discussed “The UK Industry – Structurally changing”.

Just some of the delegate companies which attended this year included professionals from AmaZing Venues, Bicester Hotel Golf & Spa, Bulgari Hotel and Residences, Crown Plaza/Heythrop park, De Vere/Heythrop Park Grange Hotels, Inspired Generation, Lancaster Court Hotel, Newbury manor Hotel, Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel, Practical Choice Partnership, Regency Court, Riverview Lodge, The Manor House, The Pillar Hotel, The Z Hotel Victoria, University of Oxford, Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa…plus many more well known names.

For further information or to book your place for the 2015 Summit please contact Sharron Fothergill on 01992 374100 or email hs@forumevents.co.uk

Focus SB has an enviable reputation among interior designers and architects for manufacturing electrical accessories of distinction. Bespoke plates are their speciality and, as they manufacture here in the UK, meeting customer requirements is what they do best. The latest addition, the Uxbridge flat plate range, uses MK Electric® interiors from the UK’s foremost manufacturer of electrical and data connectivity products and solutions.

MK Electric® has established a reputation for the highest standards in quality and reliability. With a name that many specifiers turn to and now, with the Focus SB Uxbridge Range, they can be sure of delivering a stylish and unique solution suitable for any interior style.

For the first time metal switches can also be produced to match the range of metal plate finishes produced exclusively by Focus SB. These include Antique Brass, Chocolate Bronze, Black Nickel, Jordan Bronze and Satin Nickel.

Focus SB’s in-house facilities include a paint shop where all metal plates can be sprayed to match any RAL, Pantone or BS colour, or we can match to your swatch, providing you with a wide diversity of design options. Focus SB can make the switches the same colour as the plates. Paints are available in gloss, matt, semi matt and eggshell finishes to blend perfectly into a painted interior, offering a subtle and stylish solution.

Please visit our website to view our full range of stunning ranges and finishes. The Focus SB Product Consultants team are available to discuss your project and assist with the specification of your bespoke needs.

Burgess Furniture is delighted to announce the arrival of their latest chair design ‘Evosa’. The slender chrome plated steel frame together with the option of knitted mesh or upholstered back creates a modern chair of outstanding design and quality.

With its slim webbed seat and unique hidden back construction Evosa provides enduring comfort whilst maintaining a remarkably light weight that can be seat stacked up to 10 for the mesh-back version or 8 for the upholstered back model.

Evosa will feel perfectly at home in the most intimate of meeting rooms or the most prestigious conference and banqueting hall.

Evosa is available with or without arms and a solid powder coated frame can be specified. A separate plastic linking clip and a trolley for easy transportation are available.

Helping hotels deal with the practicalities of providing guests with storage space in a stylish way, Roca has introduced a metal structure and basin unit as part of its new Prisma collection. The perfect solution for more compact spaces, the Prisma metal structure offers ample storage space for towels and guest’s toiletries, with an easy to wipe clean shelf beneath the washbasin.

Measuring 865mm tall, the stainless steel metal structure leaves the floor visible and accessible too, not only helping to make the bathroom appear bigger but also making cleaning a much simpler task.

The Prisma metal structure from Roca is just 460mm deep and available in widths of 600mm, 900mm and 1200mm, meaning there is an option to suit all room sizes. The basin on the 900mm wide version incorporates a ceramic countertop, which can be sited on either the left or the right-hand side to suit the space available, with the 1200mm wide model featuring a double basin.

The structure also incorporates a stainless steel rail along the front of the unit, for hanging hand towels, helping to create an uncluttered, comfortable bathing environment for hotel guests.

Ensuring that the bathrooms are as luxurious as the location, Laufen sanitaryware has been chosen for the exclusive Kandolhu Island Resort in the Maldives.The resort comprises 30 bungalows all finished to an extremely high standard with quality fittings throughout, including Laufen ceramic sanitaryware, furniture, brassware and wellness products.

Measuring just 200 metres by 150 metres, the lush island is home to one of the most pristine, colourful and lively house reef in the Maldives. The beautiful natural elements of the Maldives are perfectly combined with modern architecture and creature-comforts creating an unforgettable experience for guests.

Laufen’s Il BAGNO Alessi One bathtubs invite guests to lie back and relax whilst enjoying their beautiful surroundings, and are matched by washbasins and WCs from the same collection.

Featuring elegant curves and minimal styling Il BAGNO Alessi One create a real style statement in this most idyllic of settings.

The Swiss manufacturer’s Palomba sanitaryware is another highlight of the bathrooms in many of the resort’s apartments, the organic contours of which look especially elegant in understated ambiences such as the Kandolhu Island Resort.

Mohamed Shafeeq from Group X associates who were responsible for the hotel’s design, explained the specification of Laufen products by saying: “The designs were in line with the concept of the Island, as we wanted a premium product for the resort. Alessi, for example, is a world renowned name and together with the quality and knowledge of Laufen we were confident these were the best products for our purpose.”

Ivan Zupanovic , Head of International Project Sales & Export for Laufen, comments: “I am very pleased about the professional partnership we have developed with Silver Sands, and with the results of our work so far in the Maldives. They have very strict criteria that needs to be met in order to uphold their reputation for luxurious, high quality holiday destinations and we have been more than able to match this.“

Laufen supplies bathroom solutions for commercial projects around the world and are passionate about bringing the very highest user satisfaction for clients, and ultimately, their guests. This is through an open partnership approach with the highest level of professionalism, through logistics and project management.

To further highlight the capabilities and benefits of British Manufacturing, leading UK shower manufacturer and designer, Roman, has launched two impressive new Bespoke Guides providing an exceptional bespoke service. The Showroom Bespoke Service and the Decem Bespoke Service have been created to transform the company’s comprehensive range of Shower Enclosures to suit your specification requirements. The Showroom Bespoke Service and the Decem Bespoke Service are presented in Guides, which can be easily downloaded from the ‘Downloads and Guides’ section on the Roman website (www.roman-showers.com).

The Showroom Bespoke Service provides the Specifier with various design options for Shower Enclosures, such as reduced height and reduced width. Over height and over width is also available on selected Wetroom Panels and Bath Screens. Roman can design the enclosure with the glass cut at an angle and shaped or created with frosted glass.

Their Decem Bespoke Guide includes their latest Decem range of minimalistic Enclosures which have been created with bespoke design flexibility at the forefront. As with the Bespoke Showroom Guide all products from the Decem range can be created to suit your particular specification, whether you are looking for an increased over-height product up to 2.7 metres, through to reduced height products. Frosted glass and the glass cut at an angle is also available to design your tailor made Shower Enclosure. The Decem range also provides a choice of curved or square hardware options, along with an optional bracing arm system.

These Bespoke Guides help to design specify and price bespoke product requirements. The bespoke planner in the back of the Bespoke Guides simply needs to be completed and sent to Roman. Roman will then promptly send a quotation confirmation through and once the final quotation has been confirmed, Roman will produce and send back the drawing to illustrate the final product. Once Roman receives the final agreement work will begin on the product straight away and the product will be delivered within four to six weeks.

These Bespoke Services provide made to measure items which will fit almost anywhere, and all products are made in accordance with the measurements given. Roman endeavours to provide total peace of mind by offering an exclusive direct delivery and installation service across their ranges. This service ensures that the site is correctly measured and the products are installed correctly the first time. Roman present added reassurance with a two year installation guarantee and the Truelife, Lifetime guarantee on the Roman product.

David Osborne, Roman’s Managing Director, commented: “We have found that there is an increasing demand from customers in the UK looking to create something completely bespoke. We decided to make the process of requesting quotes and ordering these bespoke products as straight forward for our customers as possible. So we created these Guides which bring together and display our extensive range of options that are available from our product ranges. We are also thrilled to be soon launching our new Decem Xpress rapid bespoke service for key products from our Decem range. This unique service provides a rapid turnaround of 10mm bespoke products – from the date ordered it will take between 7 to 10 days to be manufactured and delivered.”

Fameed Khalique keeps his eye finely tuned to innovations in materials, as London’s foremost expert on finishes he is the authority on what is unique, unusual and trending in design for the home. Each spring and summer a wave of interest in outdoor materials sparks a flurry of new launches, often spearheaded by advances in technology; as well as the aesthetic factor, outdoor materials of course must be practical. Below Fameed picks six favourites from his 2014 collection that help to create wow-factor outside, whilst demonstrating pioneering techniques that make it possible to use these outdoors.Fameed comments “our green spaces, terraces and balconies have become an extension of our living space, leading this trend is high-end design. You only have to glance at a weekend newspaper to find a story on the rise of property prices and even our super-wealthy clients find themselves squeezed into spaces they would find unthinkable in any other location. Outdoor space is a luxury and sanctuary and should be designed and dressed to maximise its potential”

Waterproof Art Panels
These stunning decorative art panels invite and inspire artistic expression outdoors.

Using a specially formulated epoxy resin, the panels are 100% UV and water resistant meaning they will not fade or dull in the sun. They are suitable for areas exposed to water which allows for great creativity in entertaining spaces; they can be used with water features, incorporated into pool design or simply hung as a work of art. The panels are suitable for both walls and floors; you can select a design from a great range of abstract and organic inspired forms, or for the seriously creative, commission your own.

Chella Textiles
Chella’s collections artfully combines the look and feel of a luxurious interior fabric with the durability of an outdoor textile. This is the secret of the company’s success – the softest performance fabrics on the market and it continues to lead the field of outdoor textiles with the huge range and variety of usable styles it offers. Chella fabrics are a feat of technology, created from 100% solution-dyed acrylic meaning its outdoor properties are inherent and not coated on.

Each fabric carries a full guarantee that it will not fade in sunlight, is mould and stain resistant and gives top results every time. The new range of colours they have launched for 2014 are playful, fun and perfect for upholstery.

The three new fabrics for Spring 2014 – Gatsby, Linen Tweed and Dashing – are all 100% solution-dyed acrylic. Linen Tweed is a 100% solution-dyed linen-textured weave which mimics a luxurious and classic texture while being durable and long-wearing.

Continued on page two…

Installers and planners fitting Laufen products can access all the technical information they need, wherever they are, thanks to a new interactive catalogue on the Swiss manufacturer’s website. The Laufen technical catalogue, available from the homepage at www.tc.laufen.com, is in PDF format, making it simple to download to a computer desktop or open on a mobile phone or tablet, ensuring installers have instant access to technical information whenever they need it.

Organised into sections according to product type, the catalogue is simple to navigate either via the drop-down contents at the top of the page, or simply by clicking through each page. The PDF contains full technical details for each and every product in the Laufen collection, including line drawings and full specification data.

Installers and planners clicking on the picture gallery icon at the start of each product section can then view and download full colour room-set photography or forward selected photography in an email. Clicking on the ‘back’ icon then takes the user to an overview page, with each Laufen range sorted by folder, giving quick and easy access to the manufacturer’s large database of images.

The fully interactive PDF enables installers and planners to not only browse through and print from the technical catalogue, but also features handy tools such as post-it notes and a bookmark, turning this simple to use document into the ultimate reference tool for anyone specifying and fitting Laufen products.

RHA Furniture offer a range of traditional and modern hotel bedroom and public area seating.

Their beautifully upholstered seating has been specified for many high profile hotel and spa projects across the UK and overseas. The company offers completely bespoke solutions, working with many clients from the start of a project to help develop furniture which meets their design specification and is suitable for its intended use.

All of RHA’s custom made pieces can be produced to any custom size and finish you require.

RHA also supply exclusive standard collections such as the new Anthony, Landscape and Fado seating from their P9 range.

Contact RHA Furniture for more information or to discuss a project.

Part of the prestigious Doyle Collection, The Marylebone Hotel is a 100 year old building that brings Irish hospitality to the heart of London. A recent addition is Pantry at 108 where guests are served afternoon tea under the warm glow of elegantly styled wall lights manufactured by Dernier & Hamlyn. These bespoke brass fittings designed by Alexander Waterworth Interiors were handcrafted in Dernier & Hamlyn’s London factory and are complemented by handmade ivory silk shades.

Dernier & Hamlyn’s managing director Jeremy Quantrill says:

“Making these eighteen beautiful wall lights for The Marylebone Hotel was a delight and brought together many of the unique skills that our team has learned over the years.”

With summer fast approaching, hotel owners up and down the country will be gearing up for the busy holiday season and the sudden influx of visitors to the UK. Of course, key considerations for any hotelier during this period will be how they can maximise the potential of each room and ensure repeat occupancy and the ideal way to achieve this is by ensuring guests have the best possible night’s sleep.

Whilst it is well documented that creating the right atmosphere and ambience are important factors in delivering a great experience for your guests, a comfortable and relaxing bed is what they look forward to most at the end of their day. Add sumptuous, crisp bed linen, and the relaxation and comfort experience is increased further still. But all this means nothing if the condition of your mattresses aren’t up to stringent hygiene standards.

General wear and tear and staining are issues, which UK hoteliers expect and are used to dealing with on a daily basis, those can usually be rectified quickly. However, a surge in the number of guests visiting hotels can lead to a more serious, damaging and lasting problem… namely, bed bugs!

Bed bugs can be a real issue for hoteliers, with infestations having devastating consequences for businesses, ultimately leading to hotels having to temporarily close, whilst pest control teams remove the infestation. Once the bugs are introduced into a hotel through tourists luggage or clothing, they can spread easily from room to room. They can spread within a building by getting through holes in walls or pipes and can potentially invade a whole building. Mattresses and beds have to be entirely replaced to ensure a complete wipeout of the insects, meaning a potential impact on revenues at the busiest and most important time of year.

Statistics suggest that in the UK there has been, on average, a 25 per cent annual rise in reported bed bug infestations. Therefore, logic dictates that more visiting guests can only increase the chances of being left with a serious bed bug problem.

It is important to remember that bed bugs are not merely an inconvenience; they will feed on your guests causing nasty reactions and uncomfortable rashes. Previous research by Hypnos shows that hotel guests spend over 60 per cent of their time in a hotel bedroom asleep, meaning they are at a high risk of contact with bed bugs. It is therefore imperative that hoteliers address this issue and take the necessary steps to prevent or eradicate infestations, not just to ensure guests have a happy and healthy stay, but also to preserve their reputations.

When it comes to choosing a place to sleep at night, hygiene is a prime concern for guests and while the reality is that bed bugs don’t necessarily mean you have an unhygienic hotel, they can create quite the opposite perception. This is especially true when you consider social media sites such as Facebook or Trip Advisor where one bad review can put off hundreds of potential customers from staying at your venue.
So, how can hoteliers help protect their guests against these nasty critters? The solution is to invest in a mattress whose fabric cover is infused with a specialist bed bug treatment, such as HealthGuard™, which is an effective and safe way to help deal with these uninvited guests.

Hypnos integrates HealthGuard™, a world leading anti-bacterial, anti-allergy and anti bed bug treatment, as standard into the fabric and sleeping surface of all its pocket sprung mattresses. This treatment provides long-lasting protection against bed bugs and dust mites, ensuring guests have the safest and healthiest sleep environment possible. The cutting-edge technology also provides unprecedented hygienic advantages to guests with allergies. Also, as the treatment is invisible and odourless, it will not affect the Crib 5 fire retardancy properties of Hypnos’ mattress or mattress toppers.

Furthermore, the innovative product, which is used on both Hypnos’ pocket sprung mattresses and mattress toppers, can also be used on existing beds by applying a Hypnos zipped Mattress Renovator also infused with the HealthGuardTM treatment. The renovator encases the whole of the mattress to provide an additional layer of protection against bed bugs and any unhygienic and unsightly stains.

It cannot be stressed enough how important protection against bed bugs is for hotel owners. By using advanced bed bug treatments, hoteliers will not only be protecting their guests whilst they sleep, they will also be preserving their reputations.

It is also worth investing in mattresses and bedding that contain natural materials which boast hygienic benefits. Both cashmere and wool generate a micro environment that promotes healthy air flow, helps regulate body temperature and reduce body moisture while repelling allergens.

It is therefore crucial hoteliers take every necessary step to protect themselves against bed bugs. Protective mattress treatments play a pivotal role in helping to minimize the risk of infestation and every hotelier should consider investing in the cutting-edge technology. Not only will it ensure your guests have a healthy and uninterrupted night’s sleep, it will also help to safeguard the reputation of your hotel.

Editors Note: Advice that needs to be heeded by airlines too – see this blog on airline mattresses to see why

LAUFEN introduced the latest addition to the award-winning ILBANOALESSI One vanity collection during Salone Del Mobile in Milan this April. Affectionately known as ‘Baby Tuna’, the new collection features the vanity in two smaller sizes. Designer Stefano Giovannoni created the new Baby Tunas, available in a warm gray or white LCC (Laufen Clean Coat) finish that are perfectly scaled down to add another option to the overall bathroom design. The Baby Tuna is available in two sizes: 1200 x 500 mm and 900 x 500 mm.“We introduced this new line of vanities along with a bathtub and new bathroom furniture items to enrich the ‘One’ bathroom project,” said Javier Korneluk, US managing director of LAUFEN. “The Baby Tuna is an extension of a modern and impressive ceramic collection. With the same asymmetric yet well-balanced line as the larger Tuna, the Baby Tuna washbasin is available with or without a tap hole, allowing a faucet to be positioned on an adjacent wall. It also allows for left or right-facing installation. With the addition of these new Baby Tunas to the ILBAGNOALESSI One Collection, they allow even more options for design specifications for residential and commercial projects.”

Also included in the One Collection for the first time are new bathroom accessories made using LAUFEN’s SaphirKeramik ceramic. These include a toilet paper holder, shelf towel holder and towel hook. The new revolutionary SaphirKeramik is considerably harder and has a greater flexural strength than vitreous or fireclay ceramic. The material is sculpted to create accessories for the bathroom that are a stunning addition to the already vast collection.

First introduced in 2002, ILBAGNOALESSI One remains one of the most complete and long-lasting collections for the bathroom. The collection contains some pieces which are now ‘classic’, including the “egg-shaped” toilets and the large free-standing ‘Tam Tam’ floor-standing vessels. By mixing and matching a variety of pieces from the One collection, all the elements coexist to craft one stupendous design.

Cheval Three Quays, the newly opened residential riverside development next to The Tower of London, demanded an eye catching entrance that would welcome people staying at its 159 studios, apartments and penthouses offering unrivalled views across the Thames and the City of London. To achieve this, Forme UK, who led on interior design at Three Quays, wanted a unique light fitting for the reception area that would make playful reference to the river outside and would empathise with the development’s high quality, luxury feel. Bespoke lighting specialist Dernier & Hamlyn was chosen for this complex task and produced a polished stainless steel, chrome and brass work of art that features 348 solid brass rods of differing lengths, from which hang custom made clear solid glass balls looking like water falling from the ceiling.The fitting uses LED lamps, not only to reduce energy consumption, but for their longevity which will mean that they rarely have to be changed, which could have caused inconvenience to guests and staff working on the reception, which is manned around the clock.

Behind the visual beauty of the light fitting were significant engineering challenges that had to be overcome in order to design and manufacture panels that could be effectively and safely installed. The chrome panels are framed in brass and are not only an integral part of the fitting’s design but also house the wiring and provide a base for the hundreds of rods to be fixed.

Jeremy Quantrill, Dernier & Hamlyn’s joint managing director says: “This was a really interesting and enjoyable project that was also demanding in lots of ways. Reception lighting was a vital design feature and also, of course, a practical necessity. Our team was involved throughout the process from initial concept scoping to final production and the interior architects benefited from having easy access to our factory so that they could monitor progress first hand throughout the project.”

Power Ethernet’s Integrated Powerline Solution solved La Gaffe Hotel and Restaurant’s continuous fighting to provide its customers with a reliable Internet connectivity to the restaurant, bar, rooms and other communal areas. La Gaffe is located in the heart of Hampstead Village — a conservation area in London—. The business is comprised of terraced workman’s cottages constructed in the 1850’s with 18 guest rooms, a restaurant and bar located among multiple dwellings, with 50cm thick walls between dwellings. The WiFi Network was not robust enough to provide reliable internet access throughout the building as it suffers from coverage black spots due to thick, signal-degrading walls, the size and distribution of the property.

Installing structural data cabling is too expensive and disruptive. It will require cutting into walls and ceilings causing additional building work and disrupting the normal operations of the hotel, bar and restaurant.

Power Ethernet’s Integrated Powerline Networking Solution provided La Gaffe with instant distribution of Internet access across building by creating a data network that runs over the electrical wiring.

As there was no need of installing any new cabling, the network was deployed in a matter of hours and without any major redecoration works. This, not only made the networking deployment cost-effective, but also minimised disruption and downtime.

Key Benefits of Power Ethernet’s Solution:
• Fast and robust Internet access with minimal disruption and no mess.
• As no rewiring is needed, installation can be done in a matter of hours keeping downtime to a minimum.
• The flexibility of the Power Ethernet technology allows the solution to be implemented across single and three phase electrical boards.
• High value, low investment cost of providing internet in each room up and running in a matter of hours.
• As the solution is built into the wall, the installation is discreet, theft and tamper-proof and looks aesthetically pleasing.
• Eliminates cost of “making good” the décor.
• There is limited loss of revenue as the hotel’s normal operations are not noticeably disrupted by the installation.

Read the complete case study on Power Ethernet web site.

Form met function on Wednesday 9th April for the launch of MK Electric’s Elements Collection at London’s Ice Tank Studios where guests ranging from interior designers to architects alike were joined by Wayne Hemingway, one of Britain’s most iconic and celebrated designers, and co-founder of one of our best-loved fashion brands Red or Dead to celebrate the new stylish, design-led range of wiring accessories. MK executives showcased the new revolutionary collection over cocktails followed by John Forsyth, Strategic Marketing Director of Honeywell telling guests the story of the Elements Collection over dinner and Hemingway engaging guests with his inspirational life story and thoughts on design, form and function.

Rubbing shoulders over wine, lamb, and vanilla bean Panna Cotta were members of the MK Electric team and an assortment of industry and media experts, while John Forsyth discussed why Elements was created, why it matters and why MK Electric believe it is a genuinely game-changing piece of innovation in the industry. He introduced the theme of form and function referring to the late, great Steve Jobs and chief designer Sir Jonathan Ives of Apple – who championed the importance of form and function in consumer technology and brought about a shift in what consumers expect from technology.

Forsyth first described this shift as a blessing: “… because today, consumers see technology as a fashion accessory in its own right”. But he then went on to explain that design leaders, like Jobs, have also been a curse to manufacturers as well, since now there is nowhere to hide from the high expectations of consumers.

He ended his speech by emphasising the benefits of the Elements Collection and humbly stated: “It’s a collection we’re incredibly proud of and excited about as a business, and a range that we think has the potential to redefine what wiring accessories mean to a space.”

Wayne Hemingway then took to the stage and talked to guests about how form and function are intrinsically linked. Hemingway inspired guests with his life story of starting at a market stall in Camden Market,Red or Dead and how he and his wife have taken on additional housing design projects and are making an effort to ensure design is thought of first and foremost when building socially responsible housing. His uplifting story and his emphasis on creating beautiful, but functional spaces only served to reinforce the MK Elements message – functional components of a room can be beautiful, simple and provide a touch of sophistication, design and elegance.

John Forsyth, Strategic Marketing Director at Honeywell:
“Sockets and switches are no longer exempt from design. They must work but they must also combine form and function to lend themselves to the overall design aesthetic of a given space – whether it’s in a residential home, hotel or office”.

MK modelled a range of materials such as wood and stone at the event and the response of the guests was unanimously positive. It is the time for wiring devices to shine, and the Elements Collection is carrying the torch forward.

For further information on the MK Elements Collection visit: www.mkelements.com

Fameed Khalique is the founding curator of an edited collection of the global design industry’s most inspiring surface materials. The past five years have seen this become a valuable and respected resource for London’s architects and interior designers. Whilst working on landmark projects with some of the very best design names in the business including David Collins, Terence Disdale, Candy & Candy and Gensler, the company also provides a sourcing service to all clients, trade or retail, regardless of the scale of project.

Come to The Pavilion stand P14, Clients rely on Fameed and his team to provide material solutions, whether from the couture collection he has curated or designed, or the staple collections for everyday materials such as London’s strongest and most comprehensive range of top quality leathers, the foundation on which the company was built.

Architctural materials in the collection include industrial three-dimensional stone coverings from Lithos, innovative 100% recycled aluminium tiles, a large range of semi precious stone tiles, artistic copper wall tiles from DXU, wooden floors inlaid with marble and stone, decorative glass tiles for interior and exterior use by Conglomorate, Robert O’Dea specialist finishes, high performance outdoor fabrics, and many more products from world class artist-makers who specialise in design materials for commercial and residential use.

For clients with historical taste, Baulmann Lighting the manufacturer of high quality lighting has revived its product line from the 50s and 60s: Vintage – design and functionality combined with the latest in lighting technology. Outstanding features from the old models were reinterpreted and merged with modern elements to create a completely new futuristic-classical design. Fabric-covered pendant lights as well as wall and table lamps from the 50s, create an individual atmosphere, which connects historical design with state-of-the-art LED technology.

All pictures are copyright by Baulmann Leuchten

Burgess Furniture were the very first European manufacturers of the aluminium stacking banquet chair, and with a 68 year manufacturing heritage, we are the market leaders for conference and banqueting furniture around the world.2014 is a very exciting year for Burgess Furniture as we are celebrating 55 years of furniture manufacture and product innovation. The company has grown from its humble beginnings in the leisure market and adapted its knowledge and machinery to produce an extensive furniture collection under the brand we know and recognise today.

Burgess Furniture has been exhibiting at Hotelympia for about 30 years and it’s always been a great place to launch our very latest products. We will be showcasing one of our best-selling chairs, Mendola (as pictured), along with several very exciting new additions to our range.

Our stand number is 3126, we look forward to seeing you there.

Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now

The Tourism Symposium at the International Festival of Business; Liverpool, 2nd-3rd June 2014

“The role of tourism and culture in creating economic success” – With keynote address from John Kampfner, Director of the Creative Industries FederationBookings are now being taken for this year’s Symposium, which will take place in Liverpool on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd June coinciding with the International Festival for Business.

This years subject will be ‘The role of tourism and culture in creating economic success’ with key speakers from across the tourism, arts and cultural sectors covering a wide range of subjects. Our Symposium will put these two sectors right at the heart of the conversation about the generation of business, growth, employment and professional development.

The first day of the Symposium will consist of educational study tours and an informal networking reception and dinner hosted by Tate Liverpool. This will be followed by a day-long conference on 3 June with panel and delegate discussion sessions, and many networking opportunities.

We hope that you are able to join the Society in Liverpool for what promises to be a great event!

Early Bird tickets currently stand at £99.00 for members and non-members.

Click here for a full list of speakers, the programme and to book

Des McDonald (Le Caprice, The Ivy) brings the taste of Tennessee to the vibrant heart of Camden. His vision brought to life by Alexander Waterworth interiors using Stylematters. Inspired by the excellent produce and unique flavours of the Deep South, this brand new dining experience is centred around a purpose built, rustic wooden bar.Comfortable booth seating and bespoke high stools add to the theatre of the setting, with matching low stools, dining chairs and urban rustic tables. Alexander Waterworth’s inspiration was developed, built and made real in our Cheshire workshops and installed on site in just weeks.

Developed, Crafted, Finished in our workshop

The Q collection is a blend of design and natural materials, which elevates the look above raw, new product. Robust and striking, yet with a fun and sophisticated character. Attention has been paid to the detailing of every piece – steel and iron fittings, reclaimed timber – finished in rustic tones. Including dining chairs with an industrial twist, bar stools fashioned from steel and antiqued leather upholstery and natural waxed hardwoods.

Bespoke Booths

From initial sketch, through to detailed design and prototypes, we can create the perfect answer to your requirements. Fixed seating, banquettes, bench seating & booths, built in or even freestanding. Based around solid hardwood frames, the seats can be adapted to suit use and environment.

A combination of selected foams from heavy duty CMHR (hard wearing yet comfortable) to Reflex Super-soft and Hollofill for superb comfort. For the ultimate in luxury a fully sprung option is available.

Cocktail bar or fine cuisine, stylish, modern or classic – the Stylematters team can bring your ideas to life!

Contact us now to discover how we can help.

Alongside our skills in bespoke lighting manufacturing, Dernier & Hamlyn’s talented team is often called on to refurbish, renovate and repair light fittings. Much of this work is extremely challenging and requires unique skills and in-depth knowledge of historic lighting. Past projects have included taking down a chandelier weighing several tons for extensive refurbishment that included the manufacture of missing sections and castings as well as wiring to current electrical standards with energy efficient lighting being installed.It is not unusual for some of the fittings that we are called on to take back to their original splendour, to consist of thousands of pieces, which have to be painstakingly disassembled prior to careful renovation before reassembly either at our London factory or back on site. And often our renovation work involves bringing fittings up-to-date to ensure they meet building owner’s legal responsibilities as part of Building Regulations or adding emergency lighting capabilities for fittings used in public buildings. Even at relatively new hotels, restaurants, clubs and high-end residential sites, lighting can become broken, discoloured or just dull and our expertise is often sought to breathe new life into tired fittings.

Our award winning work at Quadrant 3 is an example of where both our refurbishment and bespoke manufacturing expertise were utilised. Here we produced a number of fittings to complement the art deco styling of the restaurants and bars. In the former Titanic bar, that is now MASH, three large oval lights made of cast aluminium and glass and eight u-shaped fittings required extensive renovation. Over the years various glass panels had been replaced leaving a mishmash of styles and designs which were removed and replaced. Our knowledge of this period of lighting design enabled us to ensure that the “new” fittings were both beautiful and historically accurate.

And at Fortnum and Mason we were tasked to remove and refurbish over 100 chandeliers, bring them up-to-date with current electrical regulations and then return and re-install them at the iconic London store.

We’ve also refurbished sunburners at the famous Leeds Varieties theatre and renovated chandeliers at the former Granada Cinema in Clapham when it was converted into a Christian Ministry.

So when your work calls not only for new, but for as good as new get in touch and see how we can help.

Focus SB offer a range of beautiful switches and sockets for both commercial and residential interiors. Bespoke plates are our speciality, so if you have any special requirements we can help. Visit us at Hotelympia on stand 3429 to see the quality of our products and discuss your needs, or you can email us here. No project is too large or too small! We look forward to seeing you. Alternatively, visit our website or call us today on 01424 858060 for further details on any of our ranges or services.

Fameed Khalique is delighted to present a preview of the Opus collection by Lithos Design to be launched at Salone in Milan, 2014. The collection, designed by Raffaello Galiotto is a pioneering, contemporary expression of industrial stone design combined with the art of colour inlay work. The collection is available exclusively from Fameed Khalique in the UK. The production and design of this new collection breaks the mould of traditional marble inlay work and its use in the field of design for floors, walls and claddings by driving innovation into a previously unexplored area. The collection makes its début with a variety of hues, from the most vibrant colours to the softest, most subtle shades in a series of ready-to-use ensembles that embrace exquisite antique inlay work, whilst interpreting it in a new, ground-breaking way.

This collection signals a shift in focus for Lithos Design from sculptural to pictorial. In addition to their pioneering work in three-dimensional stone design, there is now a desire to design with colour, shadow and chiaroscuro effects whilst always emphasising the natural colours inherent to stone.

A unique method of production, seamless modular layout and innovative design
The Opus collection is composed of a series of 60cm x 60cm modules, with patterns that can be extended, depending on taste, brief and requirements of the space. The patterns display both continuous and stand-alone geometric shapes; dispersed graphic, chequered patterns interplay with the effects of the luminous grids and gradients within the designs.

Whilst having a decidedly contemporary aesthetic, classical skills are employed for material selection using the company’s unrivalled knowledge of colour combination and marble properties – each stone is hand-selected for their individual colour and grain. This combination of traditional skills coupled with innovation in production, using precise industrial and serial inlay work creates a continuity of texture for the ready-to-use pieces that can be laid as easily as a stone tile and ultimately reducing waste.

The ready-to-use modules of the Opus collection allow for extremely short lead times from brief to installation. Each component from texture, colour and pattern can be personally chosen from the carefully considered collection of patterns and colours to create a unique design ensuring a bespoke stone covering that can be installed with ease. Each module is delivered in finished form and is incredibly easy to fit to both horizontal and vertical surfaces of any dimension.

Leading UK shower manufacturer and designer, Roman, are one of the first companies in the industry to support the newer updated Made in Britain campaign. Roman has proudly flown the flag for British design and manufacture since they were founded in 1985. The new Made in Britain marque was launched in January 2014 and Roman were one of the first companies to join the campaign and consistently use the marque to draw attention to their products.

The new marque is designed to supersede the previous ‘Tick’ version, which Roman strongly supported. The new Made in Britain marque organisation has been created with the remit of actively campaigning to raise the general awareness of British manufacturing both domestically and across the globe.

In order to use the Made in Britain marque, membership is needed and the scheme requires all companies to submit written evidence that they manufacture their products in the UK. Roman holds all the necessary requirements as they are a reputable and well established UK Brand, who is home to the UK’s largest shower manufacturing plant.

Roman are promoting the new Made in Britain marque on all their product packaging, websites and social media platforms along with marketing materials and point of sale merchandising. A prime example is on their newly updated Showroom Guide brochure, the Made in Britain marque appears proudly on the front cover to represent all of Roman’s product ranges. Roman have also recently created new brand badges for their Sculptures and Decem product ranges, which incorporate the Roman Logo on one side and “Made in Britain” text on the other.

Joining the Made in Britain marque was extremely important to Roman as British manufactured products are increasing in popularity due to their trusted quality, specific sizes and tailored made products to the UK market and the excellence of their after sales and customer service. People are keen to buy products they know are made in the UK to support the design, skills and craftsmanship which strongly exist here. Roman has capitalised on the fact that the Made in Britain logo not only appeals to the UK market but it is also seen as a major selling point in Asia and Commonwealth countries.

David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman, commented: “A recent trend, as we have seen is customers moving away from unreliable imports in favour of British made products. There is a clear trend towards the support of British manufacturers as customers recognise the importance of investing in high quality products for their bathrooms. British made bathroom products are being held in high esteem and more and more customers are keen to opt for British products. We see it as a big advantage to support the Made in Britain campaign and use the marque to proudly market our products as a UK brand, as it is a key differential of ours as people see it as a mark of quality.”

Dawson Design Associates, Ltd. is pleased to announce and welcome, Louise Parr as Managing Director of the DDA London office.The recent appointment occurs in accordance to the firm’s two-year goal of developing their European branch; the sister office to DDA’s headquarters located in Seattle, WA for the past 27 years.

Louise, a native of Scotland, served most recently in a Director role at Michael Fiebrich Design in Singapore, preceded by 3 years spent as a Sr. Designer at Wilson Associates Singapore. Bringing over 20 years of senior design and management expertise to the team, Louise’s past experience includes projects with Hyatt, Four Seasons, Conrad for Hilton, ITC and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts.

“I look forward to continuing to create exciting and innovative hospitality interiors with DDA. I love their artistic, interactive design approach and am excited about the future,” states Louise.

The recently opened Holborn Dining Room at Rosewood London offers a menu of British classics with a twist. Its lighting, which was manufactured by Dernier & Hamlyn, complements this philosophy with six eye catching blackened steel oval chandeliers, some 7m long. However their simple lines are not only a discreet hiding place for the emergency lighting that has been fitted to the light fittings’ cross section bars, they are also housing 500 120mm LED globe lamps custom made to meet the exacting aesthetic and energy usage brief from the restaurant’s designers Martin Brudnizki Design Studio.Due to the size of the chandeliers they each have a sub frame adding to the complexity of the manufacturing process which required mixed construction methods incorporating both laser cutting and making sections by hand.

Despite a global search Dernier & Hamlyn and MBDS could not source LED lamps that met the specified criteria for quality, light colour and visual appearance that was required. So working with Midlands based Heritage Lighting, which specialises in LED solutions for heritage buildings, they commissioned bespoke lamps that achieved all of MBDS’ and Rosewood London’s requirements.

Dernier & Hamlyn’s joint managing director Jeremy Quantrill says:
“Whilst having the LED lamps custom made produced the optimum solution for Holborn Dining’s lighting it was quite a lengthy process. But it was well worth the effort and the overall effect is not only visually brilliant but it achieves the longevity and energy saving specifications too.”

Iain McIntosh, Heritage Lighting’s director adds:
“This was a challenging project that was ultimately extremely satisfying and knowing that it was made possible by British companies that are leaders in their respective fields makes it even more fulfilling.”

The Interior Design Summit 2014, was hailed as a resounding success by all who attended, it was held on the 11th March 2014 at the brand new Hilton London Wembley. The event saw over 65 delegates and 30 suppliers visiting and exhibiting from across the UK and was one of Forum Events Ltd most successful event so far in 2014.The Interior Design Summit proven format of pre-matched face to face meetings is beneficial by exclusively targeting only the most qualified buyers and bringing them together with suppliers who are pertinent to their needs. The event focuses on productive one-to-one appointments, industry related seminars and multiple networking opportunities throughout the day to build valuable business relationships.

The 2014 Interiors Design Summit was opened with a presentation by Vanessa Brady who is President of the Society of British Interior Design, who discussed “The Good the bad and the ugly”.

Further seminars throughout the event featured excellent and well know speakers, including Karen Haller from Karen Haller Designs, with a presentation entitled “More than just a mere decoration”.

Jonny Gray who is Principal of Johnny Grey Studios, hosted a seminar on “The Long Kitchen: emotional durable, multi-generational living space” plus Gary Crosbie from Ramparts Interiors who spoke about “Constructing your vision”. Finally, Paul Nulty from Paul Naulty Lighting Design, hosted a seminar on “Bright ideas and dark information” and the evening drinks reception was hosted by Susan Llewellyn Bowen from The Susan Llewellyn Academy of Interior Design who spoke about “My life of Design – the changes I have experienced and how I see the future?”.

“Very interesting exploring new ideas and highly informative action packed day with a deep understanding of the supplied information”
ZANA+ Design Studio

“A well organized event – great opportunity to meet new, interesting suppliers and catch up with other industry contacts too”
Rethink Interiors

“We had a good day and are hopeful of some interesting leads, or at least new relationships which we can develop in the future and progress to orders later on.”
And so to Bed

“The event was an excellent opportunity for us to meet high profile decision makers with real current projects, who under normal circumstances would be difficult to meet with.”
Portobello Art Ltd

For further information on the 2015 Summit, please contact Kate Hermans on 01992 374049 or email k.hermans@forumevents.co.uk.

Follow us on Twitter @intdesignsummit

For the first time in Italy, Mille Couleurs London is exhibiting their HANDMADE Furniture and accessories.We will be showing our new furniture collection called JARDINIERE. A collection made to be used outdoor for both residential homes and Hotels uses.

The structure of the table, seat and bench is handmade using solid Iroko and protected with a special outdoor paint. An integrated box made using marine pine plywood veneered with walnut Tanganika, lacquered with a special paint for outdoors.

For extra comfort, seat and bench tops are padded using materials specific for such environment.

The pot is also made with solid Iroko finished with an outdoors’s paint. The box is made using marine pine plywood veneered with walnut Tanganika, lacquered by special paint for outdoor while the inner box is made using stainless steel and measures 46 x 46 x H 40 cm.

Our outdoor collection Jardinière included:
. Table 100 x 95 x h 37,50cm
. Seat 100 x 60 x h 45cm
. Bench 165 x 60 x h 45cm
. Pot 65 x 65 x h 45cm with the plant holder 46 x 46 x h 40cm

We will be at:
The Highline Outlet
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 30
Milan
Italy
Tel. +39 02 7601 4870

Enabling skiers to relax in comfort when they are not on the slopes, BAGNODESIGN has supplied its luxurious bathroom solutions to the newly opened Pik Palace Hotel in Azerbaijan, part of the Shahdag Mountain Resort. Located on one of the region’s largest ski resorts in the Caucasus Mountains Pik Palace Hotel boasts 167 oversized bedrooms and suites. As the sole supplier for the project, BAGNODESIGN was responsible for supplying the luxury bathroom spaces to the highest quality standards and style specifications, having earned a distinct reputation for doing just that across the region. BAGNODESIGN products were specified for the hotel’s guest rooms, presidential suites, private apartments, spa and pool areas.

The hotel’s lavishly designed guest bathrooms feature BAGNOTEC Harmony stone basins, Malmo freestanding bath tubs, Kudos Cube mixers, Kudos Dream WCs, heated towel rails and a variety of stylish accessories to perfectly complement the space. BAGNOTEC Eclipse freestanding bath tubs, handmade from composite stone for a tranquil bathing experience, are featured within the presidential suites and private apartments.

Guy Wilson, Managing Director of Projects at BAGNODESIGN, commented: “The development of this project, set in such idyllic surroundings, is a huge boost for tourism in Azerbaijan and we are delighted to be involved. The broad product range in our portfolio more than catered to the design brief with our cutting-edge BAGNOTEC stone collection taking centre stage.

“Our product specification team were involved at the design stage to ensure the right choices were made and the volume of orders could be achieved, backed up by the BAGNODESIGN supply chain and technical support team who ensured the project’s deadlines were met.”

Novotel has selected the Soundfreaq Sound Spot wireless speaker as a new global brand standard.

As a leading innovator of in-room technology TeleAdapt worked with Soundfreaq to develop hotel features into the Sound Spot speaker for Accor. The Novotel Sound Spot is a unique wireless speaker offering security options for the hotel, future-proof connectivity, and a high current USB power port for universal device charging for guest satisfaction. “In partnership with TeleAdapt, Accor have introduced the Sound Spot for Novotel in-room audio. We wanted an innovative and stylish in-room speaker that is easy to use and caters to the needs of our guests. We were impressed with the modern styling, ease of functionality and universal connection of the Sound Spot”. Comments David Esseryk, Vice President of Consumer Technologies at Accor.

“In addition to function and form, the objective was to offer our guests a product which would enhance their guest experience, and thus, the Sound Spot was the right choice” says Sabine Kadyss, Novotel Global Product & Communications, Quality & Sustainable Director.

Bluetooth has become today’s wireless connectivity standard for modern mobile phones and tablets. Allowing easy pairing and freedom for guests to keep their device with them while enjoying exceptional quality sound. The Novotel Sound Spot also features a unique-connection for Bluetooth, ensuring only the current user may connect to the device in their room. Additionally, an Aux-in socket provides an audio input from the headphone socket of most devices. This universal and future proof audio connectivity improves guest satisfaction by allowing a vast amount of devices to connect and charge.

Gordon Brown, Founder and CEO of TeleAdapt Ltd states: “TeleAdapt are proud to announce another standard agreement with Novotel, TeleAdapt recognize the need for guests to use their portable devices to provide personal entertainment within the guest room. In addition to quality sound guests want easy and reliable methods to charge their devices. The Sound Spot offers a convenient high current 2.1A USB socket for phone and tablet charging. With many guests choosing to use their phones as their alarm clocks this charging facility lets them keep the phone close to hand on the nightstand and wake with their device 100% charged.

Leading UK shower manufacturer and designer, Roman, is once again firmly demonstrating their commitment to caring for the environment.

BSI recently conducted an ISO14001 audit at Roman, which showed some outstanding results and proved that all the company’s hard work to reach their environmental objectives has been a success. The company has three core environmental objectives, which are to reduce energy consumed as a direct proportion of business activity; increase the proportion of recycled waste; and eliminate and reduce any harmful emissions, discharges or pollutants generated by the business activity. Achieved during a period of high sustained growth, the results of the audit conducted by BSI presented a reduction of energy consumption by 9%, with an estimated saving of £7000 per annum. Roman has reduced their general waste by 60%, which in turn will save £5500 per annum in landfill and collection charges. The company’s CO2 generation was found to have increased by 1.5% to 788 tonnes for their own vehicles. The most impressive result of the audit was that Roman’s recycling of paper, card and plastic increased by a staggering 62%, providing added income of approximately £3300.

Roman is keen to continue to improve these results and wherever possible will investigate the potential of new green technologies and equipment that could be used to reduce their carbon footprint. Amongst projects which the company are currently developing is the potential of investing £20,000 in new, factory wide, lighting factory system. This ‘smart’ lighting will automatically dim when it is bright outside to reduce energy used. Another possible project to reduce energy is adding solar panels to generate energy to run the factory. As Roman currently have up to 4 tonnes of wood waste per week they are looking into a cost effective solution for the recycling or disposal of that wood.

David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman commented: “We are thrilled to have achieved such positive results from our BSI audit and we will continue to work hard to reduce our carbon footprint. As our business activity grows we aim to further reduce the cost of energy consumption and continue to make improvements on recycling and subsequently reduce general waste still further.”

RHA Furniture have just published a new website and beautifully compiled brochure featuring projects form their 20 year portfolio. RHA Furniture has been supplying furniture for Hilton Hotel projects since 1992. The new brochure showcases some of RHA’s most memorable Hilton projects, including London Hilton Park Lane and the new Conrad Algarve suites.

“As a long standing approved supplier, we regularly supply and custom make furniture for Hilton Hotels across the UK and overseas.

“The Hilton projects featured in our new brochure show the high quality hotel bedroom and lounge furniture that we have been supplying for the past 20 years.”
RHA Furniture

The new brochure also features the Brooklands Hotel, for which RHA Furniture supplied a range of items from many well known European manufacturers along with several special bespoke pieces.

“We pride ourselves on being specialists at providing contract furniture and custom-made prestigious interior solutions. To see some of the projects we have completed, please view our new website or contact us for a brochure.”
RHA Furniture

Contact RHA Furniture to discuss a project.

Jason Ng, Marketing Communications Specialist, MK Electric

Hotels everywhere invest significant sums of money annually in building and refurbishing rooms designed to match the brand of their particular establishment. Sleek and stylish with leather and bright colours, grand and traditional with mahogany and brass. A customer’s impression of a hotel is sealed the minute they step into their room, drop their bag and look around. Hoteliers instinctively understand this. One area that is usually an exception is wiring accessories; inevitably incongruous with the rest of the carefully honed décor.However as electrical manufacturers start to raise their game – offering a wide selection of customised finishes matching seasonal trends – hoteliers are running out of excuses to accept that wiring accessories in their hotel rooms, not to mention lobby, conference rooms or other shared spaces, can be an eye sore. On the contrary, the latest innovation in fashionable, customisable sockets and light switches presents hoteliers with another big opportunity to build their establishment’s brand.

At MK Electric we have already embraced this trend with our Decorative Collection, offering 5000 different combinations of wiring devices matched closely with the hottest interior design trends. Each product provides an elegant aesthetic and also offers unrivalled longevity and functionality as is synonymous with the MK Electric brand. Bespoke designs can also be developed using MK Electric’s Design Service team, offering hoteliers a full palette of designs and textures to lift a room aesthetically.

This month MK Electric also launches its Elements Collection; four different material groups – Glass Effect, Metallic, Synthetics, Naturals – all presented in 16 different finishes across more than 180 different devices. Drawing inspirations from a gamut of different materials and textures – stone, leather, wood and metal – it provides a wealth of options for hoteliers hunting for the perfect complement to a particular style of room.

A hotel’s ‘brand’ isn’t just about what you can see. It’s often about what you can’t. The desire to hide ugly wiring has brought about a boost in adoption of wireless technology. For example, a sophisticated, intelligent lighting control system – like Astral from MK Electric – can significantly lift a guest’s impression by allowing them to control lighting in their room using a simple remote control. It can also manage lighting across the whole building; a dimly lit, moody bar through to a brightly lit, welcoming lobby area.

Perhaps one of the most exciting, transformational innovations for hoteliers is the emergence of wireless, batteryless and self-powered light switches and controls which use ambient energy in the room to operate. This is particularly useful when it comes to serving multi-purpose spaces like conference or function rooms. Normally hoteliers would need to compromise between unsightly extension cables or extended wiring and having the space poorly lit during certain usage calibrations. With Echo, a light switch can be added just about anywhere without damaging any aesthetic impact.

Whether it’s providing a warm, welcoming reception area for guests, a cool bar serving cocktails, or backing up your sustainable image by carefully managing and reducing energy consumption, heating is also an important part of a hotel’s overall brand. Echo also links to a building management system, which allows staff to accurately monitor – and automatically adjust – energy use in different parts of a hotel. Hotels can use the technology to detect presence and control the air-conditioning or heating.

In summary, wiring accessories don’t need to detract from the impact of your hotel’s decor. They are increasingly a tool for hoteliers to enhance the overall look and feel of their hotel. The sensation of a light switch, the warmth of a room, the sleek, minimalist look of a socket can all boost your guest’s impression of your space. Hoteliers must act quickly to capitalise on the opportunity.

Curtis Furniture, the specialist manufacturer and installer of quality contract furniture is pleased to announce a new partnership with DFS.DFS and Curtis Furniture, have joined forces to launch DFS Contract, a new venture that provides a complete furniture solution for independent and large hotel groups.

The two Yorkshire based companies have a long standing heritage of UK manufacture.

Leeds based Curtis has been designing, manufacturing and installing case goods and furniture to the UK hospitality industry since 1998.

DFS has over 44 years’ experience of designing, manufacturing and retailing upholstered furniture from its Doncaster based headquarters, two wood mills and three factories in South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

DFS Chief Executive Officer Ian Filby comments:

“This mutually beneficial partnership provided a clear opportunity to combine the skills and experience of two industry leaders in cabinetry and seating, who also share the same approach, values and commitment to quality.

“As a result we can offer hoteliers the widest range of contract furniture in the UK for an end to end service of design, manufacture and installation.”

Together with Curtis, DFS’ design team has developed an exclusive range of contract grade sofas, sofa-beds and chairs plus footstools, ottomans and headboards.

All the upholstered furniture is built to extreme contract standards to complement Curtis’ range of high quality cabinet furniture and comes with industry leading five year guarantees.

The majority of seating is modular to maximise space and any fabric can be applied to any shape within the range.

Curtis Managing Director Andrew Reynolds comments:

“As the largest manufacturer of upholstered furniture in Europe, DFS were able to guarantee that all the furniture supplied as part of the partnership was made here in the UK and that was extremely important to us from a sustainability perspective.

“For clients this also means they deal direct with the manufacturers which naturally leads to high levels of efficiency and great value. For us as suppliers it means we can assure quality, faster lead times and a more responsive project team.”

“Responsible sourcing is key to survival of the UK lighting industry”
– Jeremy Quantrill, joint managing director of Dernier & Hamlyn

These days many of us try to be more informed about how the food we eat has been produced and the clothes we wear have been manufactured. But can the same be said of the way that lighting is specified and purchased? If you have responsibility for procuring or designing lighting do you think about where it has been produced and what that means for the people involved and for the wider UK economy? As a lighting manufacturer, which has been around since 1888, we are clearly keen to promote the “buy British” message. Obviously we would prefer that all lighting was made here and we welcome anyone to visit our factory. However, even we acknowledge that sometimes for various reasons we or other British manufacturers may not be the best solution to your lighting needs. And we grudgingly accept that! But what we object to is companies that purport to be British manufacturers who in actual fact only assemble parts made overseas, or worse still, bring in complete lighting fittings from overseas, make a minimal change and put a sticker on them that pretends they were made here.

Thankfully we live in a democracy where no one is forced to buy their lighting from any particular suppliers. But all purchasers and designers should be able to make informed choices based on true and reliable information rather than being duped by companies making false claims.

Making conscious efforts to work with UK manufacturers whenever it is possible to do so has an impact on the state of the nation by safeguarding jobs which means that these people have money to spend, increasing the likelihood of new and refurbished buildings needing the services of designers and lighting companies. So it’s a win win situation for all involved. Added to that the “Made in Britain” brand is extremely strong in certain parts of the world so it’s not about being parochial, it’s about knowing what suits your clients and your business but in a way that is honest and truthful. Then there is the control that working with UK manufacturers gives you. Many of the projects we work on are complex and it is only by sitting down with the designers, and sometimes involving the clients too, that we can develop solutions that meet their aesthetic, environmental and legal requirements. And whilst some contracts may be able to make do with off the shelf lighting from an unknown manufacturer who may or may not have dubious sourcing ethics or employment practices, we strongly believe that is worth greater consideration for the wider implications of your buying decisions.

So it’s up to you. Maybe this has made you stop and think and encouraged you to reconsider whether made in the UK can mean that just some elements of the lighting you are buying can be put together here. Or whether it really should mean that it is actually produced here and it’s your responsibility to ask questions and put suitable checks in place.

OW Hospitality and the Roger Thomas Collection have recently announced an exclusive partnership between the companies. The two will launch a new line of hospitality carpets at HD Expo (May 14-16, 2014, Las Vegas). The first ensemble, Custom Tailored, is a collection inspired by the sophisticated and engagingly classic appeal of fine menswear celebrating Thomas’ unique affinity and appreciation for quality and design. Known around the world for designing some of the most prestigious resorts ever experienced by serving as the executive vice-president of design for Wynn Resorts, Thomas and his personal licensing company, the Roger Thomas Collection (RTC), was a natural fit for a carpet collaboration with OW Hospitality. A vast world traveller, Thomas draws upon his every experience to influence his designs. Custom Tailored in particular, was inspired by the time honoured elegance of menswear while incorporating a unique dramatic flair into the designs, thus creating the perfect union of classic style with a modern twist. Containing refined patterns and hues as well as bold colours, the designs literally jumped off the pages of Thomas’ personal sketch books.

“I am extraordinarily pleased with our collection of breathtaking carpets,” said Thomas. “The idea of menswear fashion is timeless but we’ve taken the classic patterns and added a contemporary brilliance by incorporating provocative elements with scale, colour, and design combinations. I wanted to create something that I would use for ultra-elegant, world-wide hospitality applications but that would also inspire others to create interesting looks for their own unique projects. Custom Tailored does just that. It has been very exciting developing this first carpet collection with the OW Team, where custom is always the standard.”

“Roger Thomas embodies style and has a spectacular fashion sense. His impressive portfolio of work speaks for itself and has for the entire duration of his esteemed career,” said Mike Riley, CEO of OW Hospitality. “We at OW Hospitality were lucky enough to tap into his unparalleled expertise and develop what we do best: a beautiful collection of the highest quality Axminster and tufted carpets. Custom Tailored is the first collection of what will be the most elegant and sophisticated carpet compilation in the hospitality industry. The synergies and energy between Roger and our Style Studio Team are amazing and I am truly excited to watch this partnership develop and lead major fashion trends for hospitality flooring.”

Now firmly established as a leading supplier of innovative and quality bathroom solutions to customers around the world, sanitaryware brand LAUFEN is expanding its team with the appointment of a new Project Manager based in Abu Dhabi.With a background in building materials, Mohamed Barakat is the direct representative for LAUFEN in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and is responsible for developing and specifying LAUFEN products in all projects in his region.

Mohamed brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having been based in Abu Dhabi for many years. Prior to joining LAUFEN, Mohamed held sales roles with companies including Abdelwahed Building Materials in Egypt and Bin Salem Holding in Abu Dhabi. His most recent role was Territory Manager UAE for Forms + Surfaces, the American manufacturer for Architectural Surfaces and Outdoor Furniture.

Throughout his time in the region Mohamed has developed a strong relationship with local and international architects, consultants and interior designers. He has also worked on major projects in the GCC, including Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Lusial Light Rail Transit System in Qatar.

Mohamed is one of three new Project Managers to join the rapidly-expanding LAUFEN team internationally, each of whom are strategically placed in New York, London, Dubai and Singapore to support projects around the world.

Together the LAUFEN Project Team are committed and passionate about bringing the very highest user satisfaction for clients and, ultimately their guests, through an open partnership approach with the highest level of professionalism through logisitics and project management supported by the Commerical Team based at the manufacturer’s head office in Switzerland.

Whether it is for a hotel room, conference room, media room, or boardroom, fabric walling from Mille Couleurs would help to resolve most sound insulation problems.Fabric walling not only offers elegance and glamour, it also helps to insulate and soundproof which sets it apart from all other insulation solutions currently in the market.

Here at Mille Couleurs, we consider our fabric walling to be an art form. We are known for our attention to detail and exquisite finish on all products in our range.

For more information about how fabric walling is a great solution for the acoustic solution, please call us on +44207 263 3660.

Morgan, the design-led British furniture manufacturer, has supplied a range of superb seating for the award-winning Crystal Serenity cruise ship. Described by many, including readers of Condenast Traveller, as the world’s most luxurious cruise ship, the liner has recently undergone a $17million redesign. Among the facilities to be enjoyed by passengers are courtyard dining with lush green planting and a retractable roof that opens to the stars, a poolside ice-cream bar, spa with ocean views, big screen cinema theatre, casino, and a driving range and putting green with resident golf professional.Sophisticated interior design and high quality fittings are features of the accommodation onboard the Crystal Serenity, with the style blending Hollywood glamour with Fifth Avenue elegance. Furniture pieces from the Seville, Hampton, Como, Siena, and City collections from Morgan all take pride of place within the Crystal Penthouse Suites. Alongside plush bedding with full height headboards, comfort in the master bedroom extends to an armchair and footstool from Morgan. The chair is the fully upholstered Hampton 551T armchair with elegant button back detail and show wood base, combined with a Como 411 low footstool in matching upholstery.

The 1,345 square-foot, butler-serviced Penthouses are inspired by the classic flats in London and the sophisticated style of Manhattan and include a separate living room. A combination of Hampton three-seat sofas, Seville 750 high backed wing chairs, some with classic nail trim detail 752N, Como 411 low footstools and sumptuous Siena 466T ottomans with top stitching detail in bespoke sizes are arranged together into attractive and inviting groups. Surrounding the circular glass dining table in the Crystal Penthouse Suites are 532 City chairs designed by the Morgan Studio, upholstered in pristine white fabric.

Perched high above the waves on Deck 12, the Lido Café with its popular indoor / outdoor dining has been extended and totally designed. Custom-built food islands, clad with mosaic, ensure the freshest offerings to tempt diners are all on display, including a live open bakery. Seating is the original Oslo collection from Morgan. A bespoke version of the 121A timber-framed dining chair was designed with an upholstered inside back and distinctive ladder back on the outside, plus a version in Iroko species timber for the outside terrace seating. Upholstered in rich tones of denim blue and ochre, the seating evokes an elegantly casual southern Californian ambiance.

Morgan worked with London design studio, Adfecto, on the Lido Café and Toronto-based designers, IIBYIV, for the Penthouses Suites. Morgan is proud to have been working with Crystal Cruises now for several years, supplying furniture to previous upgrades on the Crystal Serenity and also the Crystal Symphony cruise ship.

The cruise sector is a highly successful market for Morgan thanks to their ability to apply the Marine Quality Mark to produce attractive and practical furniture pieces of unsurpassed quality which fully conform to Marine Contract standards and IMO for upholstery materials.

Morgan is recognised for its exemplary eco-credentials, a fact independently endorsed by the ISO14001 environmental standard. All products are manufactured in a low energy consuming factory, using sustainable FSC timber, top quality CMHR foams and non rusting fittings.

Angel House in Hove has been lovingly restored whilst maintaining its Regency period features and grand interiors. Owner Phil Haiseldon chose Focus SB Ambassador flat plates in an un-lacquered brass finish to complement the period details. The un-lacquered brass will age gracefully, with each plate gaining its own patina over time. Phil also took advantage of Focus SB’s Bespoke service to manufacture unique plates to match the standard Ambassador range.In the bridal suite, Prism Clear Acrylic plates have been used with the un-lacquered brass switches and sockets.

Phil said: “I didn’t want the rococo style wall paper being interrupted by the electrical sockets so I went for Focus SB’s Prism range. The staff at Focus SB have been so helpful, so patient, and sympathetic towards my requests, helping me realise my vision for this interior.”

Gary Cattermole and Jaime Johnson are joint Co-Founders and Directors at The Survey Initiative, a leading staff survey provider. Here they discuss how employee engagement can lift profitability and improve staff wellbeing.What is employee engagement?
Employee engagement is a workplace approach designed to ensure that employees are committed to their organisation’s goals and values, motivated to contribute to organisational success, and are able to enhance their own sense of wellbeing.

In simple terms – are your staff prepared to go the extra mile?

The research speaks for itself; not only is there a strong and direct link between high levels of employee engagement and high customer advocacy but the research also identifies that those organisations that score highly also have higher rates of profitability, increase financial turnover, lower staff attrition and associated costs of recruitment. It’s simple really if an employee is happy, enjoys their work, and feels valued they are keen to excel in their role and help the business succeed. However no two businesses are the same, what works for one hotel may not work for another.

What works well for us?
One way you can easily understand, track and monitor what motivates, engages and turns-off your staff is by running an independent employee engagement survey. Once you’ve got the results it then becomes very clear what work needs to be done.

CASE STUDY: JUPITER HOTELS
We recently completed an employee engagement survey for Jupiter Hotels whom operate 26 hotels under the Mercure brand in the UK. The company was launched in 2011 via a 50:50 joint venture between Patron Capital and West Register, under a franchise agreement with Accor. Following a period of organisational change, the company wanted to benchmark levels of employee engagement within its 1900 strong workforce, and find out what engages and disengages them.

We conducted regular ‘snapshot’ surveys to provide insight and understanding into what engages and disengages employees. We provided group results to enable Jupiter Hotels to see what is happening across their business, and individual results to give hotel managers an insight into how their hotel is performing within the chain. Jupiter Hotels found the results very useful and have worked to boost employee recognition, communications and training/development. The HR department has not wasted a second and very quickly created actions to improve their levels of employee engagement. Time and money has been spent on revamping staff facilities, including more modern facilities, improved IT ability and a new staff uniform. To recognise the fantastic level of commitment given by Jupiter employees a new Staff Award scheme was introduced. The awards allow managers to offer on the spot £25 cash awards for outstanding effort and staff can be put forward for employee of the month and employee of the year awards too. A new training and development scheme has been launched with a ‘Rising Star’ programme to help talent rise through the ranks. To give everyone the chance to find out what’s going on in the organisation a new newsletter has been developed. The HR team has also negotiated enhanced benefits for staff with major discounts off products and services within the Accor group of hotels. We will continue to analyse the success of Jupiter Hotel’s employee engagement programme and offer them advice on how to develop even more successful ways of working.

Employee engagement can really help businesses in the hotel and catering sector. If staff are prepared to go the extra mile customer service levels in all frontline staff will increase, and in turn so will your profitability thanks to a boost in very satisfied customers, additional research indicates that by investing 10% in an ongoing employee engagement strategy as part of your organisations DNA, you can gain returns of £2,700 profit per employee. It can also help major chains and independent hotels decrease their levels of staff turnover, which again will cut back on expensive training and recruitment costs.

We all want staff prepared to go the extra mile so why not undertake a little research for yourself? How do you compare with this story of great customer service and employee engagement?
Walk into the hotel foyer and ask yourself ­ ‘Do my employees look happy?’, ‘Are they putting in any extra effort?’ And, also ask yourself ­ ‘What can I do to improve employee engagement in my workforce?’

To find out more, visit http://www.surveyinitiative.co.uk

TOP TIPS TO GET TOP EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT:
• Run regular employee engagement surveys. Act on the responses and show employees that things can change. If you manage multiple outlets see how each hotel compares to one another – and if there are issues address them.
• Always make the time to thank staff and ensure they feel recognition for their work.
• Keep everyone well informed about what’s going on in your organisation.
• Ensure all staff members have adequate training to fulfil their role successfully.
• Keep an open dialogue with your staff – they know your business very well – so ask them for fresh ideas how tasks could be done differently.

Travelodge has recently announced that it is hiring 80 new apprentices to join its highly successful apprenticeship programme this year. The bespoke apprenticeship scheme, JuMP (Junior Management Programme), was launched in 2011 and is the UK’s first budget hotel management apprenticeship programme. It offers A level students (18+) a real alternative to going to university via a fast track route into management. During the two year programme, school leavers can continue their education, get work experience, receive a salary and become a manager by the age of 21.

JuMP recruitment will start in spring 2014, with locations for apprentices including key city centre locations in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Cambridge and Glasgow. Last year, Travelodge received over 6,000 applications from school leavers for its 51 placements.

Jon Hendry Pickup, Chief Operating Officer at Travelodge said: “National Apprenticeship Week highlights to school leavers that apprenticeship programmes can be an excellent foundation upon which to build successful, long-term careers.

“Our JuMP programme is a great example of this – it provides a bespoke, fast-track route into management and offers school leavers a viable alternative to university. Over a period of two years, a JuMP apprentice will learn all aspects of operating a Travelodge hotel, whilst furthering their education and receiving a salary.

“Building careers is part of our DNA at Travelodge and we’re delighted by the way our JuMP programme is helping us to identify and develop future leaders.”

Travelodge’s first class of apprentices graduated in November 2013 and are managing Travelodge hotels across the UK. There are currently 55 apprentices undergoing training and the next wave of apprentices will be graduating in October this year.

In addition to the 80 apprentice positions, Travelodge is also looking to hire 1,000 new staff members across the country this year. Of the 1,000 jobs, the majority are located in existing hotels across the UK, as well as new openings which will result in 350 new jobs. Locations include key city centre locations in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Southampton; in new seaside destinations including Southport, Christchurch, Llandudno and Ryde on the Isle of Wight; and in the spa town of Harrogate.

In addition, 20 maintenance roles are being created to help work on the continued roll-out of the chain’s new-look rooms, and 100 positions at Travelodge’s support centre in Thame, Oxfordshire. Roles there will be in departments such as hotel operations, customer services, IT, finance and revenue.

To apply for a place on Travelodge’s Management Apprenticeship Programme, please visit:

JuMP recruitment will start in spring 2014, with locations for apprentices including key city centre locations in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Cambridge and Glasgow. Last year, Travelodge received over 6,000 applications from school leavers for its 51 placements.

Jon Hendry Pickup, Chief Operating Officer at Travelodge said: “National Apprenticeship Week highlights to school leavers that apprenticeship programmes can be an excellent foundation upon which to build successful, long-term careers.

“Our JuMP programme is a great example of this – it provides a bespoke, fast-track route into management and offers school leavers a viable alternative to university. Over a period of two years, a JuMP apprentice will learn all aspects of operating a Travelodge hotel, whilst furthering their education and receiving a salary.

“Building careers is part of our DNA at Travelodge and we’re delighted by the way our JuMP programme is helping us to identify and develop future leaders.”

Travelodge’s first class of apprentices graduated in November 2013 and are managing Travelodge hotels across the UK. There are currently 55 apprentices undergoing training and the next wave of apprentices will be graduating in October this year.

In addition to the 80 apprentice positions, Travelodge is also looking to hire 1,000 new staff members across the country this year. Of the 1,000 jobs, the majority are located in existing hotels across the UK, as well as new openings which will result in 350 new jobs. Locations include key city centre locations in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Southampton; in new seaside destinations including Southport, Christchurch, Llandudno and Ryde on the Isle of Wight; and in the spa town of Harrogate.

In addition, 20 maintenance roles are being created to help work on the continued roll-out of the chain’s new-look rooms, and 100 positions at Travelodge’s support centre in Thame, Oxfordshire. Roles there will be in departments such as hotel operations, customer services, IT, finance and revenue.

To apply for a place on Travelodge’s Management Apprenticeship Programme, please visit: www.travelodge.co.uk/careers/apprenticeship_programme/

Research undertaken by W Hospitality Group, the award-winning consultancy and one of the founding members of Hotel Partners Africa (HPA), reveals that employment in the hotel sector in Africa is set to grow substantially in the coming years. It estimates 136,000 new jobs will be created in 2014, 87,000 in 2015, 70,000 in 2016 and 27,000 thereafter based on current signed contracts from international brands plus regional brands and non branded developments to come. Further jobs will be added to these totals as new deals are signed by the brands and others.Whilst the overall headline number sounds impressive, the growth in demand for hotel workers varies substantially from country to country. Regionally the numbers are similar, with North Africa creating 115,000 jobs across 5 countries and Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) creating 165,000 across 23 countries. The 5 North Africa countries are in the top 10 in Africa while Nigeria leads the way in SSA with the creation of 53,000 jobs. It is followed by Ghana with 11,000, Angola with 9,000, Ethiopia with 8,800 and Uganda with 8,500.

In North Africa, where the hotel industry is more developed and where growth is relatively slower (the hotel pipeline grew by 9% from 2012 to 2013), the employment marketplace is likely to be characterised by the recruitment of large numbers of junior people and rapid promotions for the most able individuals. In Sub Saharan Africa, where growth is forecast to be a much faster 23% and where there are fewer people with hospitality industry experience, HPA anticipates three major trends: an influx of top management from abroad, a war for talented middle management and substantial investment in training programmes.

Trevor Ward, Managing Director of W Hospitality Group said: “The main reasons for the slower growth in North Africa include the opening of hotels in the 2012 pipeline, particularly in Algeria, a reduced investment focus on North Africa due to political concerns and a greater emphasis on development in sub-Saharan markets. Nevertheless, by comparison with the developed economies, where growth rates are struggling to exceed 2%, Africa is positively booming and in an industry which is as labour intensive as hotels, that is very good news for job creation.”

The companies leading the way are Hilton Worldwide which, W Hospitality Group estimates, will have a need for 10,000 new workers, Accor for 6,000, Carlson Rezidor for 5,500 and Starwood and Marriott for 4,000 each. He continued: “It is very good for the hospitality sector that so many major international brands are blazing a trail because they will bring a requirement to meet international service standards.”

Over the years, W Hospitality Group has compiled the definitive list of hotel development projects in Africa – information it now tracks and updates on an ongoing basis. From this, it is able to predict accurately the number and type of new jobs that are being created in the hotel industry.

Mark Martinovic, HPA Founding Partner and CEO of Hotel Spec, says: “The ratio of staff per room is consistent from one hotel to another in the same category. For example a luxury hotel will typically employ 2 people per room. By comparison, an upscale hotel will typically employ 1.2 people per room, a mid-scale hotel will typically employ 1 person per room and a budget hotel will typically employ fewer than 1 person per room.”
The founders of Hotel Partners Africa will all be attending the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Nairobi at the end of September, where they will be actively debating the rapid expansion of hospitality on the Continent and the implications for employers.

The Mayor of London got Apprenticeship Week cooking in the capital by revealing plans to create 7,000 new apprenticeship positions in the catering industry. The announcement takes him a step closer to achieving his target of 250,000 apprenticeships in London by 2016.The Mayor was at the Premier Inn in Leicester Square where he was joined by the British Hospitality Association who have pledged to create 7,000 new apprenticeships in the city by the end of 2016. To mark the occasion, the Mayor joined two young Premier Inn apprentices and helped them serve breakfast to guests at the hotel.

Getting young Londoners into jobs is top of the agenda at City Hall and the Mayor has invested over £2.5m on promoting and helping to create apprenticeships in the past two years alone. Having achieved around 160,000 new apprenticeships so far, the Mayor is working closely with the National Apprenticeship Service and the capital’s employers to hit his target of a quarter of a million apprenticeship positions across London by the end of his Mayoral term.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Thanks to London’s international appeal as a top tourist destination, hospitality is one of the city’s boom industries and it is superb to have the support of the British Hospitality Association in supporting 7,000 more young Londoners into a great career and helping to meet the demand for a skilled and dedicated workforce in this field. Apprenticeships not only help young people get a foot on the career ladder, they boost businesses with an eager, committed workforce – I urge all London’s firms to grasp the opportunity and take on an apprentice.”

London is one of the top tourist destinations in the world with millions of visitors expected this year. Tourism now contributes £36 billion to the capital each year and employs over 700,000 people, and this is expected to continue to increase. The hospitality industry is forecast to grow by over 16 per cent by 2020, which will mean a huge demand for a skilled and loyal workforce that the pledge by the British Hospitality Association will come some way to meeting.

Ufi Ibrahim, CEO of the British Hospitality Association said: “As well as investing in young Londoners, the hospitality and tourism industry is sowing the seeds for its own future by nurturing young talent and helping to stimulate economic growth. By working collectively to tackle youth unemployment in London and across the UK, the Big Hospitality Conversation has generated quality work experience, apprenticeships and jobs for 16-24 year olds. Support from our Mayor will be instrumental in achieving our ambitions to create 7,000 apprenticeships for 16-24 year olds by the end of 2016 and showcasing the exciting, meaningful and rewarding careers can be built in the hospitality industry.”

Someone who knows the value of apprenticeships is Patrick Dempsey the Managing Director of Whitbread hotels which employs hundreds of apprentices across the UK. Patrick started his own career in the hospitality industry 35 years ago at the bottom rung of the ladder and worked his way up to become the managing director of the largest hotel company in the UK, a true inspiration to young people starting out in their careers in this field.

Patrick Dempsey said “At Premier Inn we know the huge value that apprentices bring to businesses. Today’s announcement directly reflects our own commitment to creating opportunities for young people. Over the next five years we will be creating 2,000 new apprenticeships and 8,000 jobs. Half of our new team members are recruited from the long term unemployed and 16-24 year old age bracket and through the ‘Big Hospitality Conversation’ we are dedicated to providing opportunities for all age groups within the hospitality industry. The support of Boris Johnson at the start of National Apprenticeship Week can only add to the profile we are giving the ‘BHC’ and we welcome his support.”

Hassan an apprentice at the Premier Inn in Leicester Square said: “I went to college but didn’t really think about what I wanted to do, chose the wrong subject and ended up dropping out. I was on Jobseekers on and off, doing little jobs to get by. After being rejected for so many jobs I found myself feeling very down. I was hired for Premier Inn with the NEETs programme which was launched before the Olympics and was given my first ever chance in life, based on my personality and human nature. I feel I am part of the legacy that the Olympics has left behind – a young man who has career ambitions and a chance in life.”

To support the British Hospitality Association in meeting their pledge the Mayor will be running a campaign to promote apprenticeships across the city this year and City Hall will host the Big Hospitality Conversation event at City Hall in September, bringing together influential industry leaders from the top hospitality businesses with young people.

National Apprenticeship Week runs from 3 – 7 March 2014. To find out more about the Mayor’s apprenticeship scheme visit the Greater London Authority website www.london.gov.uk or view the Mayors 2020 Vision www.london.gov.uk/mayor-assembly/mayor/vision-2020

Now firmly established as a leading supplier of innovative and quality bathroom solutions to customers around the world, sanitaryware brand LAUFEN is expanding its Global Projects Team with the appointment of a new Global Project Manager based in London.Covering projects instigated in the UK, Lee Breeds is responsible for ensuring that all Architects and Designers based in the UK are equipped and supported with information ready at their finger tips.

Although new to LAUFEN, Lee is familiar with bathrooms, having worked in the industry for the past eight years and has been involved in many prestigious projects around the world.

Commenting on his new role at LAUFEN, Lee says: “To be given this opportunity to join a premium brand such as LAUFEN is a real honour. It is extraordinary to see the quality of work that goes into each and every single product. Seeing the realisation from conception to completion is truly remarkable, with every item produced having human interaction to ensure they adhere to our quality standard.”

Lee is one of three new Global Project Managers to join the rapidly-expanding LAUFEN team internationally, who are strategically placed in New York, London, Dubai and Singapore to support projects around the world.

Led by Ilker Hussein, Manager for Global Projects, Lee joins other new starters; Christian Schaefer based in Basel to cover German speaking territories and Mohamed Barakat, based in Abu Dhabi, looking after UAE customers.

Together the LAUFEN Global Projects Team are committed and passionate about bringing the very highest user satisfaction for clients, and ultimately, their guests. This is through an open partnership approach with the highest level of professionalism, through logisitics and project management, supported by the Commerical Team based at the manufacturer’s head office in Switzerland.

Be Inspired is a new collection of beautifully designed and traditionally made wooden furniture by Morris. It includes dining chairs with complementary armchairs and high stools which can be finished in an array of vibrant patterns and vivid colours. There are deep lounge chairs which can be upholstered in sumptuous textures to create soft seating of opulence and flair.

Solid wood tables can be stained almost any shade to suit every interior.

Each piece of furniture can be completed in a spectrum of styles, from subtle restraint to striking statements. Set your imagination free and be inspired.

The Be Inspired collection may be viewed on the Morris Contract Furniture website where there is also a PDF catalogue available for download.

Contact Details:
Morris Contract Furniture
Glenmill Works
Campsie Glen
G66 7AA

Telephone 01360 311 555
Email sales@morrisfurniture.co.uk

Scion’s successful collaboration with Bedeck, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of luxury bedlinen, continues with a second mouth-watering collection of must-have bedlinen and accessories. For spring/summer 2014 this youthful and vibrant British brand will add two more designs to its bedlinen collection: Navajo and Shibori. These designs are available in a range of sizes of duvet cover with coordinating pillowcases, accessorised by a selection of cushions and throws.Navajo: This contemporary duvet cover (single, double, king and super king) features interlocking blocks of colour, reminiscent of an ethnic rug or woven blanket, with the reverse in a plain-dyed natural tone, piped in orange. Colours include tomato, orange, lime, aqua, charcoal, stone and slate, printed onto 100% cotton. There are two styles of pillowcase: the oxford replicates the duvet cover, whilst the neutral plain-dye housewife is accented with a narrow orange inlay. Navajo is complemented by a multi-coloured, space-dyed knitted cushion and matching throw.

Shibori: The duvet cover (single, double, king and super king) features an eye-catching abstract design from Wabi Sabi, printed onto 100% cotton. The front depicts a painterly motif created using an ancient Japanese dye-resist technique, in a deep sapphire shade against a white background, while the reverse has a small-scale allover textured pattern in white on an indigo background. The design is piped in navy and the oxford pillowcase has the Shibori motif placed to one side, whilst the housewife mirrors the reverse of the duvet cover, as does the co-ordinating quilted throw.

ALL IMAGES © SCION

Morgan is about to start a new chapter in its exciting history by opening a new showroom in London. Set in the heart of the Clerkenwell Design area, the new premises have a large gallery style space with double height glazing and 2500sq ft of office and display area.Best known for hospitality, Morgan has been a leading presence in hotels and cruise ships for several years, and has developed an expertise in seating for this sector, but more recently has harnessed a natural diversification into the corporate workplace. This is thanks to new technologies and flexible ways of working that have allowed office interiors to become more comfortable and varied, with reception, meeting and break out areas more akin to hotel environments than conventional offices.

Morgan furniture collections are perfectly suited to this developing workplace culture, as the newer informal model for offices is what the team has been delivering for hotels now for over twenty years. The new collections launched at the showroom will include fully upholstered sofas and chairs, modular high back sofas for third space areas as well as contemporary meeting chairs in oak and walnut. A fresh approach to workplace using comfortable, stylish products and creating a professional but relaxed interior.

Designed by Design Director Katerina Zachariades, the new premises will serve as a London headquarters where Managing Director Rodney McMahon and senior members of the sales and design teams will base themselves. Being closer to its customers, the Morgan team plans to strengthen relationships and be able to react quickly to changes in the dynamic contract market.

This strategic move demonstrates confidence in the future and is the latest in a string of investments which has allowed the company to win market share and perform strongly throughout the economic downturn.

These have included upgrades to factory equipment, expansion of the design team and significant investment in marketing such as the development of an updated, responsive website, social media strategy and a recent video which show the production process in action. HotelDesigns is proud to have been a central plank in this strategy.

There are numerous factors which contribute to a successful formula for contract furniture. Rodney McMahon, Managing Director, sums-up, “We have an extremely efficient business model which minimises waste and keeps costs down, coupled with a talented integrated design and manufacturing process. The net result is real value to our customer in all the areas that really matter to them – design, quality and service.

This next exciting chapter in the company’s history is planned for launch in Spring 2014, at the Clerkenwell Design Week event, when the refurbishment is complete and Morgan will be eager to open its doors to customers. In the meantime, the company is recruiting staff to be based at the new London showroom.

Generating inspiration through unusual and impressive lighting projects offers BAULMANN in their 13th issue of the lighting magazine CANDELA. Introducing some of BAULMANN’s most recent national and international projects: • Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is a unique personalised Amsterdam experience,

• the Frankfurter Hof grand hotel traditions enjoy a refreshingly new approach,

• Vodafone Düsseldorf offers its employees an excellent atmosphere in the cafeteria,

• Interconti Marseille – magnificent 18th century landmark,

• the presence of Baulmann lights in the 25h hotels Zürich West and Bikini Berlin,

• at Vapiano one can comfortably eat.

Candela 13 can be downloaded here, or for a hardcopy please feel free to contact the sales team of BAULMANN.

Design and innovation and technical specification, cost awareness and product performance are all paramount at Sekers in the design of their ranges. This spring launch sees 4 new ranges that are complementary and allow you to mix patterns, textures and colour in an innovative way to give a fresh approach to your interior spaces. All these ranges have the durability required for the contract market.

Fabric collections are Diablo, Cavalli, Mayfair and Alpha all sourced and created by the Natasha Marshall team for Sekers.Diablo
Stunning patterned Trevira CS curtain range including designs Yasmin, Asteria, Phoebe, Selene and Pallas. Designs ranging from graphic patterns, Florals through to semi textured plains all in elegant tone on tone colourways. Beautiful drape for curtains and use as bed-throws or cushions. Colours ranging from Turquoise, Jet and Dusky Mauve through to Feather Grey, Mustard Gold and Parchment.

Mayfair
High quality simulated leather with the button embossed Chesterfield effect called ‘Belmont’ with complimenting plain ‘Kendal’. Passing 200,000 martindale, Inherently Crib 5. Available in 10 colours ranging from Claret, Jet and Walnut.

Alpha
A curtain weight velvet inherently flame-retardant with beautiful drape. Available in 20 colours ranging from Dragonfly, Ink and Ruby through to Sesame and Ivory.

Cavalli
A striking velvet pile woven animal skin design. Passing 100,000 martindale & Crib 5. Suitable for contract upholstery and cushions. There are 16 colours ranging from Wild Aster, Autumn Ginger, Aubergine through to Ocean and Warm Sand.

Fameed Khalique brings a distinctly international collection of world-class materials together under one roof, yet undoubtedly it all started with leather. After working as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Alma Leather, leather was the natural starting point for Fameed when he launched his eponymous brand in 2008. In the five years since its inception, Fameed Khalique has become one of London’s leading suppliers of exquisite finishes and remains at the forefront of constant innovations with leather, a core part of the business.

Fameed has amassed extensive experience in buying, sourcing and bringing high-end leathers to luxury interiors market. A continued interest and commitment to bringing new and innovative leathers to the interior design world has enabled Fameed to communicate new possibilities for a material that he feels is often not reaching its full potential in design.

Fameed’s unrivalled leather collections include a growing range of his own-label leathers often combining unexpected materials such lace bonded to leather, opulent hand-gilded leather panels, leather and silk hand-loomed fabrics by Be Inthavong, hair-on-hide wall and floor-coverings from Kyle Bunting and most recently ingenious waterproof leathers.

The dominance of leather on the fashion runways as a versatile and aspirational material has translated to a similar surge in interest in the luxe fabric within interiors. Fameed strives to identify and develop the most pioneering techniques for creating and using the material to result in something out of the ordinary.

When specifying leather for an interior scheme, Fameed recommends careful consideration of type and application to achieve the desired effect;

For a natural rustic look, use full grain hides that have not been sanded or buffed on the surface of the hide. Pull up leather also has a natural, worn look that will appear more ‘lived in’ with use. Woven leathers in earthy colours are a great way of adding luxury to a rustic scheme.

To create a bold statement and focal point, use corrected-grain and pigmented leather for uniform colour consistency and increased durability. Hair-on-hide leather from the Kyle Bunting collection can be used to create a strong contemporary look.

For a luxuriously textured and unique aesthetic, suede and nubuck create a soft, velvety look – both are created when the hide is split and a layer removed. Embossed, woven, ruched and mixed material leathers such as the leather and silk woven fabrics by Be Inthavong (pictured right) create an unexpected, layered effect within an otherwise simplistic space.

Innovations in leather – Fameed has recently added a remarkable range of waterproof leathers to his stable of unique collections. Perfect for outdoor, yacht, residential and contract use, using specialist technology the leather resists liquid, oil, UV-rays, flame, mould/mildew and is highly stretch and tear resistant even at freezing temperatures.

Fameed comments, “It is no longer enough to specify a general leather and expect to create the exceptional effect that the consumer is looking for. At Fameed Khalique, we are at the forefront of dreaming up and providing entirely unique leathers for use in the home, whether it be a leather woven with water hyacinth or providing the solution for beautiful and indestructible outdoor leather cushions to be used all year round”.

Visit Naturalmat’s brand new Devon showroom! Test their range of natural and organic mattresses and see the choice of great new beds and headboards, as well as all their lovely organic bedding, duvets pillows and mattress toppers.
Grab a steaming hot coffee (or tea) and let Naturalmat show you the way to a better night’s sleep.

The new showroom is upstairs at one end of the factory (you could even nip next door and see the mattresses being made!)

Unit 1, Odham’s Wharf
Topsham, Devon
EX3 0PD

Opening hours: Monday- Friday (9.00am – 5.00pm)

Contact us on +44 (0) 1392 877 247 or click here for more information.

Since 1998, Stylematters have been bringing their furniture design and manufacturing skills together to create tailor-made furniture right here in the UK in their dedicated workshops.

Stylematters have a highly skilled and motivated team committed to providing you with the very best of British craftsmanship and vision.Expertly Interpreting Your Needs

– Marking up bespoke patterns.
– Up to 24 panels on each chair.

Quality in the Making

Frames lovingly constructed from solid beech and rigorously checked to ensure quality and consistency.

Sprung and webbed options and specialist foams provide the perfect level of comfort for every environment.

Tailored and hand crafted upholstery in an endless range of fabrics complete the story.

– Hand finishing the hardwood frames.
– From initial sketch through to detailed design and prototype.

The Byron Collection

Just Imagine…

A short time ago this sofa was just an idea, a sketch.

The development experts at Stylematters worked on every detail to keep the look, ensuring they created a practical, hard-wearing and comfortable final result.

Just Imagine… Stylematters.

Leading UK shower designer and manufacturer, Roman, have designed brand new packaging for all their products which proudly displays the company’s logo, Made in Britain logo, the CE Mark and also important Health and Safety logos. As well as the packaging displaying a new look with these printed logos, a new thicker material is also being used to ensure durability of the packaging and protection of the product. Roman has proudly flown the flag for British design and manufacture since they were founded in 1985. The leading UK shower manufacturer proudly promotes that their products are made in the UK by presenting the logo on their newly designed product packaging, on their website and social media platforms along with marketing materials and point of sale merchandising. Roman has seen customers moving away from imports in favour of British made products due to their trusted quality, specific sizes and tailor made products to the UK market and the excellence of their after sales and customer service. Roman has capitalised on the fact that the Made in Britain logo not only appeals to the UK market but it is also seen as a major selling point in Asia and Commonwealth countries. Roman has seen a clear trend towards the support of British manufacturers as customers recognise the importance of investing in high quality products for their bathrooms. Roman sees it as a big advantage to market their products as a UK brand and it is a key differential of theirs as people see it as a mark of quality.

The CE Mark is presented on all Roman packaging which shows that the company are fully committed to the legal requirements sweeping through Europe relating to their Shower Enclosures. Displaying this logo on the packaging shows that Roman conforms to the new CE marking standard, which became compulsory for all construction products from the 1st July 2013. The CE marking indicates that a product complies with EU regulation, it is a self-certification scheme and it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure their products conform to the relevant regulations. As well as displaying the CE mark on all their packaging it is also included within their literature, their individual product instruction manuals and on their website. All of their CE documents for each product can be found on their website, so customers can have quick and easy access to this information.

The newly designed packaging importantly incorporates the necessary health and safety logos, which include the ‘two man lift’, ‘handle with care’ and the ‘fragile’ logo. These logos cover the packaging to ensure they cannot be missed and as they are all images with no text they can be understood universally. They raise awareness to everyone who comes into contact with the packaging to inform them that the products must be handled with care and they must be lifted by two people.

Along with the Made in Britian logo, CE mark and the health and safety logos, the material for the cardboard packaging has also been redesigned. As Roman products are becoming heavier with the glass thickness increasing and increased height of shower enclosures the company has ensured protection and safe delivery of the products by bringing in new packaging. This new packaging is extremely thick and strong to ensure durability and protection of the product whilst going through the delivery process.

David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman commented: “We invested heavily in packaging machinery in 2011 and this now makes a bespoke box to tightly fit round every product and delivers them to the line. Now we want it to reflect what is important to the Roman Brand and to our customers. Our packaging proudly displays that we design and manufacture our products in Britain and shows we follow the regulations of the CE marking and that we make sure all our products are delivered and handled with care, which meets our high standards of quality customer service.”

MLR Networks was commission by De Vere Hotels to install a high speed data network by Power Ethernet in their new style of premium room upgrade in selected hotels; the “Chamber Unique”. The ‘Chambre Unique’, offers guest new multimedia technology such as Sky TV, Wireless Bose sound and Smart Theatre TV; letting them connect their smartphones and tablets to surf the web or play downloaded content on the new Smart TV box.

The new room upgrades had to be ‘soft refurb’ only; so cutting into walls and ceilings for new cabling was not an option. The rooms had to be on sale as soon as possible; there was no time or budget for making good or additional building work.

MLR Networks, with partner Power Ethernet, came up with a quick and simple solution which provides Internet connectivity in the required rooms using Power Ethernet’s innovative Powerline Sockets. This patented device incorporates a four port, high speed Ethernet switch as well as a filtered 13 amp socket and simply replaces the existing electrical socket in each room.

The network was deployed in a matter of days and MLR Networks managed to fit into the hotel’s normal routine maintenance in order to minimise disruption.

The result is a business grade data network capable of streaming HD video, accommodates the demand for new device connections or creating sub-networks to support relocation of WiFi access points, deployments of IP-Voice phones, CCTV cameras, building management systems, or any other future network base system.

Read the complete case study here.

Perfect for creating an air of city living sophistication in the contemporary bathroom, BAGNODESIGN has introduced Urban, a complete collection of sanitaryware, furniture and brassware that offers minimalistic style throughout.With all the hallmarks of quality, design and detail that you would expect from this international manufacturer of design-led bathroom solutions, Urban from BAGNODESIGN brings the very latest Italian styling to the modern bathroom environment.

Featuring softened cubic lines that are a major trend in modern bathroom design, Urban sanitaryware includes a wall-hung WC and bidet, along with a choice of co-ordinating washbasins, which can be wall mounted or supplied as an under-counter version. The perfect accompaniment to the sanitaryware and providing an ideal storage solution in the smaller inner-city bathroom, is the Urban vanity unit. With its handle-less design, the furniture is sleek and minimal whilst ensuring a clutter-free finish in the busiest of bathroom spaces. Available in a choice of five finishes, the vanity unit also comes in three widths for complete flexibility of design.

Completing the Urban line-up is a new range of ultra-thin brassware, which is guaranteed to be a focal point of the contemporary bathroom. A full range of brassware is available in the collection, from basin, bath and bidet mixers through to multiple concealed thermostatic shower mixers. Available in either a chrome or stainless steel finish, this new brassware, as with the entire collection of Urban bathroom solutions, brings an air of geometric sophistication to the modern bathroom environment.

UK shower manufacturer and designer, Roman, will be proudly exhibiting their new collection of Shower Enclosures and Bath Screens at the Kbb Birmingham Exhibition in March. The official launch of Roman’s brand new Lumin8 range will be showcased at this year’s Show along with their recently launched Decem range. Roman will be found on stand D93, exhibiting their newly unveiled Lumin8 and Decem ranges which will showcase the company’s bespoke ability and project capabilities.

Roman’s exciting new Lumin8 range is formally launched from February and as the name suggests, is focused on bringing a mainstream range of 8mm thick glass products to the market which caters for all the major sizes and shapes on the UK market.

All the products in the range stand at an elegant height of 1950mm and feature innovative wrap around adjustable chromed cover caps on top of the profiles. The carefully styled chromed brass handle has been designed to suit all products in the range and bring a contemporary feel to the collection. The extra weight of the 8mm thick glass further improves the excellent sliding door action and feel that you would expect from a Roman product.

The collection presents One Door and Two Door Quadrant options across all the major quadrant and offset quadrant tray sizes. The Bi-Fold Door options in the range cover all main sizes and even offer a 1200mm Bi-Fold Door in one pre-assembled frame. The Lumin8 Pivot Door features solid chrome brass hinges and all of the side panels are frameless top and bottom to give a minimalistic look. There are two power shower approved Bath Screens included in the exciting new range, which include the option of the traditional minimalist inward and outward opening design and the outward opening design which features stylish chromed brass hinges.

The price points that have been set in the market are extremely competitive and offer outstanding value for money in the current market. The range features all the high standards of finish that you would expect from Roman and of course includes their Ultra Care pre-coated glass protection system and their Truelife Lifetime Guarantee.
As well as the Roman stand revealing the compelling new Lumin8 collection, the Decem range will present its luxury 10mm thick glass hinged door collection which majestically stands at a sophisticated height of 2000mm, along with the various hardware options the range offers.

Roman’s Managing Director, David Osborne, comments: “We are all set to officially launch our brand new range of Shower Enclosures and Bath Screens at the show. Our Lumin8 collection has been meticulously designed to solve the variety of space restrictions the bathroom holds by offering a diversity of designs and sizes, which is sure to provide something for every bathroom. This particular exhibition is the perfect platform to officially launch our outstanding new range, which truly offers a high level of specification for an excellent price – further proof that British manufacturing in the bathroom industry is vibrant and flourishing.”

When designing an hotel it is important to recognise the criteria that apply to different parts of the building, and also to recognise that in different locations different national rules may apply. Starting point must always be the client. What do they have in mind as a Guest profile. Business, family, tourist? If it is to be operated by a chain the designer may find the chain insisting on a designer they know so get a contract early so you are properly compensated if this happens. It is frustrating watching your design being carried out without your involvement.

If you are working on a building to be operated by a chain what is the brand criteria your client must abide by? (see more in our Guide to Hotel Design). Make sure your client understands the brand guidelines, particularly if there is a requirement to use an approved supplier list. Note though that many suppliers pay handsomely to get on approved supplier lists (one chain charges over £3000 for an initial listing) and will charge extra in order to recoup that fee. Approved suppliers lists may guarantee nothing except meeting a minimum quality.
HotelDesigns supplier listing in the Directory is free to consult, provides global coverage and writes about products for designers. These suppliers will provide not only competitive quotations but also are a source of advice and information on exporting, local regulations etc.. Never underestimate your suppliers knowledge base.

International variations mean for example that in some countries it is necessary that the hotel be kitted out with a sprinkler system. In others, like the UK, then that may be unnecessary but it may impose different regulations in terms of fire prevention through flame proofing. This is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to these areas, local authorities differ and each will need to be consulted as to the standards applying in their area. However note there are considerable differences across countries as to their requirements. Different testing methods also apply and some countries, like the USA, are intensely protectionist and design regulations to specifically exclude imports without breaching any free trade agreements.

Many countries within the Commonwealth have standards that may relate to UK standards, but also there may be levels of interpretation that require considerable diplomatic skills to negotiate. A US approach to communicating with a Client may need finessing in the UK if the Client is not to be alienated – and a UK client may be too polite to bluntly say no, but may delay until you go away.

There are also simple traps for the unwary. For example rub testing of fabrics for contract use is well recognised but littered with anomalies that will catch the unwary. A cotton sateen may last 80,000 rubs on a Martindale tests as it is so smooth, but common sense will tell you it is not suitable for use on a bar stool – yet I have seen it used there (it splits)! Similarly a tapestry weave will only do 6,000 rubs yet they have lasted in great houses for hundreds of years because the rough nature of a tapestry weave means threads are raised and will easily break on a Martindale test, but are so highly woven and so thick that they almost won’t ever wear out in normal contract use. Ask your suppliers advice.

So to Rule 2: If in doubt, ask, ask and ask again.

BAGNODESIGN London is proud to announce the grand opening of its flagship Architect and Design (A&D) showroom in the heart of Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Inside the impressive 4,000 sq ft showroom visitors are treated to a taste of British style and innovation, where the BAGNODESIGN London range of European manufactured and designed products are on display to architects, interior designers, contractors and discerning retail clients alike. The A&D concept, championed by BAGNODESIGN London, is a toolkit for architects and designers to assist in product specification for new bathroom spaces. The showroom was designed so that BAGNODESIGN London’s products can be experienced first-hand, not just by industry professionals, but retail customers too.

Simon Davis, Sales Director BAGNODESIGN Asia Pacific, commented: “We are very excited to unveil our new A&D showroom to the people of Hong Kong. Our aim is for Design and Construction professionals to fully utilise the social space – touch, feel and select materials in a relaxed environment where all the specialised facilities you would expect to find are available. These include workspaces, private meeting areas with video-conferencing facilities, refreshments and free wifi access.”

The Grand Opening took place on January 23 at the new showroom on Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, where guests were treated to an evening of decadent elegance. As over 130 guests arrived and paused to have their photos taken on the red carpet, an array of British, Italian and Asian themed food and beverages awaited them inside. Guests were also entered into a prize draw, with the top prize being a trip for two to Dubai with a four night stay in the JW Marriott Marquis, the world’s tallest hotel, – bathrooms exclusively supplied by BAGNODEDSIGN London.

Speaking after the event, Simon Davis commented: “Initial feedback from the design community and retail clients has been hugely positive and our aim is for this flagship showroom to act as the platform for other BAGNODESIGN London outlets across the region… watch this space.”