In conversation with: Oliver Halshaw, Sanderson Design Group

Oliver Halshaw, UK Contract Manager, Sanderson Design Group | Image credit: Sanderson Design Group

Hotel Designs: How would you describe Sanderson Design Group’s heritage and its position within today’s interior design and contract markets?

Oliver Halshaw: Our heritage brands, Morris & Co., Zoffany and Sanderson, are steeped in history and brand identity. Our knowledgeable and experienced designers bring classic designs into the 21st century through colour and modern techniques, making them relevant to specifiers globally.

HD: How does Sanderson Design Group balance its reputation for classic British design with the evolving needs of modern commercial interiors?

OH: We have a fantastic range of designs across our brands. The balance comes from treating ‘classic British‘ as a design language rather than a style parameter. Designs are continually redrawn, rescaled and recoloured specifically for contemporary hospitality briefs.

The Unfinished Works by William Morris | Image credit: Sanderson Design Group

HD: Contract clients often prioritise durability. What are the key performance indicators you advise designers to look for when selecting fabrics for heavy-use commercial environments?

OH: When discussing durable textiles with designers, I focus on a few essentials. Martindale ratings to be suitable for severe contract use. Strong pilling resistance, and high lightfastness for spaces exposed to sunlight. Available across our brand portfolio, especially within Clarke & Clarke and Harlequin we have unbeatable design paired with products that stand the test of time for all hospitality spaces.

HD: Is there a common misconception you encounter when clients focus heavily on rub test figures alone?

OH: Yes, people often think a higher Martindale automatically means a better, tougher fabric. You can still have weak seams, poor lightfastness, or a construction that bags out. Another misconception is comparing rub counts across completely different fabric types, like velvet vs flat weave. A velvet’s pile will crush and mark long before it wears through, even with a huge Martindale, while a tight flat weave with a lower figure can look smarter for longer in ahigh traffic bar or restaurant.

HD: Fire retardancy (FR) requirements can vary significantly between sectors and regions. How does Sanderson Design Group support clients in navigating FR specifications and compliance?

OH: FR is one of those topics where an early conversation can save a lot of grief. We work to clear FR regulations by sector and region BS/EN, IMO, NFPA, CAL, ASTM or local equivalents, and use mills set up around those tests. For us that means, confirming end use and country at brief stage, offering inherently FR or FR treated options with supporting test reports, advising on how interliners/foams affect performance, and giving care guidance so cleaning doesn’t undo the FR. The goal is to de-risk specs without losing the look or sustainability story.

HD: How early in the design or specification process should FR performance be considered, and what challenges can arise if it’s left too late?

OH: FR needs to be in the conversation right at concept. Once you know what the project is and where it is, you can start shortlisting fabrics that can realistically pass the required tests. If you leave FR until later in the process you risk lastminute swaps outs which can compromise the overall look, handle or colour; as well as longer lead times and extra costs too.

Harlequin Zamora fabric | Image credit: Sanderson Design Group

HD: Sanderson Design Group offers the ability to print designs onto inherent FR base cloths. Could you explain how this enhances both compliance and design flexibility for contract projects?

OH: Digital printing onto inherent FR bases basically lets you have full design freedom on a cloth that’s already passed the key FR tests. The FR is built into the yarn, then we print the pattern on top. It means you can run large scale designs or custom artwork on a stable, durable, compliant base. It also suits shorter runs and creates less waste than more traditional print methods, which helps the sustainability story.

HD: The availability of a wide range of base fabrics, including wide-width options, offers new opportunities for specifiers. Where do you see this being particularly beneficial in commercial interiors?

OH: Wide width FR sheers, dimouts or blackouts can take centre stage when you’ve got floor-to-ceiling expanses of glass, or high ceilings. They cut down seams, look clean and speed up makeup in hotels, resorts and conference spaces. Pairing them with a family of versatile base cloths, sheers, dimouts, upholstery plains and textures lets you run a cohesive story/theme through guestrooms, public areas and F&B spaces, while keeping maintenance simpler and more sustainable.

HD: When selecting between different base cloths, what practical considerations should specifiers keep in mind to ensure longevity and performance in use?

OH: I’d always start with where the fabric will be used. Whether on a bar stool, high-traffic upholstery, or for a guestroom curtain, each need varying levels of strength, weight and drape. Cleaning is important too, busy hotels or care home settings need easy-to-clean, stain-resistant cloths that can handle tougher products. Finally, I asses sustainability and certifications. The ‘right’ base is the one that still looks good and is easy to live with for years to come, not just on opening day.

HD: Collaboration is often key in contract design. How does Sanderson Design Group work with designers and specifiers to support projects from concept through to installation?

OH: In my experience, best results come when we’re involved early, not just asked for a SKU list at the end. We’ll help to line the brief up with our latest or best working collections, and spot where custom print or recolour might help. As a spec develops, we can map designs onto the right FR bases and wallcoverings, talk through standards, and flag any risks before signoff. We back that up with targeted sampling/strikeoffs and clear workroom, hanging and upholstery guidance, so what’s installed behaves as expected.

This approach really pays off on multi-site or phased roll outs, where colour consistency and repeatability over time is important. We back that up with targeted sampling/strike-offs and clear workroom, hanging and upholstery guidance, so what’s installed behaves as expected.

HD: Looking ahead, how do you see contract fabric requirements evolving, particularly in relation to performance standards, sustainability, and design versatility?

OH: Performance and sustainability expectations are only heading one way, and that’s up. Clients want fabrics that tick all the boxes without compromising on comfort, texture or design. Sustainability is fast becoming a non-negotiable too, responsibly sourced natural fibres, credible certifications for any recycled yarns and lower impact printing and finishing.

On the design side, I see more versatile ranges that work across hotels, workspaces and high-end residential style projects, plus easy custom options on trusted FR bases. For me, it’s about using our archive to create fabrics that look great, are properly tested and are kinder to the planet over time.

Sanderson Design Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: Sanderson