Blog

10 of Our Most Instagrammable Projects

Creating Instagrammable moments is now part of architectural briefs as more restaurants vie for free publicity, social kudos & the genuine footfall created by growing quest for the perfect selfie. We highlight 10 of our most Instagrammable projects of late, from crazy golf to avocados-only with a healthy hit of floral decor & neon signage.

17/09/18 12:12

Woven Furniture - Types & Techniques

Woven furniture comes in different styles & materials. Telling them apart can often be confusing, but it's essential to know the difference, particularly if you're looking for furniture that's suitable for outdoors. Our list details the different types with an infographic showing furniture examples.

10/09/18 11:50

Creating Hotel Interiors with Home Comforts: room2 Interview

Aparthotels are on the rise but what exactly are they and why are they so appealing? We speak to room2, the people behind two innovative hotels in Southampton and Hammersmith, to discover why consumer behaviour is changing & how good hotel interior design is improving the user experience of hotels.

03/09/18 11:42

Metal Table Tops Test: Waxed vs Lacquered

We undertook an experiment to test whether a waxed or lacquered finish provides the best metal table top protection. We took two brass table tops & placed different foods on them, then waited overnight to see which stains were most noticeable. We also performed a scratch test. Here are the results.

28/08/18 10:30

Avoid Using Flip Top Table Bases With Heavy Tops

Manufacturer guidance on table bases will always show the max top size they are suitable for but it's also important to consider the weight of the top. Certain tops including marble should never be paired with a flip top base, while iroko, solid core & others are only suitable with certain bases.

20/08/18 11:20

Table Tennis Tables for Offices & Student Accommodation

Why buy a contract table over a standard ping pong table? Essentially, a contract table will give you a wider choice of size and style and added flexibility of use. We explore the pros, cons and possibilities for table tennis tables in offices and student accommodation.

13/08/18 12:27

Q&A with JK: Restaurant Startup Design Tips

Opening a restaurant can be challenging, particularly with so much competition in the market. JK our Sales Director has a few quick tips for independent restaurateurs to make sure you get the most from your space. Featuring top restaurant startup challenges, layout tips & design mistakes to avoid.

06/08/18 11:35

Furniture Highlights: July 2018

Your first look at furniture so new it's not even on the website yet plus new table top materials & showroom sample showreel. These furniture highlights include some fantastic fringe trim on chairs - which is currently trending - and a wide range of fully upholstered chairs, sofas and barstools.

31/07/18 11:20

How To Source Sustainable Furniture

Sustainability is a hot topic in the current climate but if you look behind the popular ethos it's easy to get bogged down in legislation and acronyms. Here's a list of ways to improve the green credentials your furniture and a product focus on bespoke table tops made from reclaimed wood.

23/07/18 11:35

8 Gorgeous Geometric Fabrics Suitable For Contract Use

Geometric fabric adds visual intrigue with minimal application. We look at our favourite new geometric fabrics. Fabrics include the Soraya Collection from Romo, Shapes by Panaz, Geometrics by Kirkby Design & Warwick fabrics as well as some of our showroom samples to illustrate working examples.

16/07/18 10:50

Chaise Longues: How To Avoid An Expensive Mistake

Think you know your left from your right? Everything's backwards where chaise longues are concerned. Use this diagram to make sure you order a chaise with the correct configuration and avoid making a costly error. Also featured are a few of our favourite chaises longues from our range.

09/07/18 11:16

Never Fix Metal Edging To Solid Wood Table Tops

The most important thing to know about metal edging, is that it should not be applied to solid wood tops. This is because wood tends to move naturally and this movement can cause the edging to come away creating gaps.

02/07/18 12:00

How To Specify A Chair From The Ground Up

Everything you need to know about specifying a chair in a single blog post. Well, almost. This guide will ensure you don't overlook anything when specifying for a project from glides, to pattern repeats, chair materials and more.

25/06/18 11:40

Furniture Trends: Geometric Shapes On Table Bases

Forget classic pedestal bases, table bases just got interesting. Meet the new trend of geometric shapes on table bases that combine all the stability of a classic pedestal base with added interior intrigue.

18/06/18 11:17

Furniture Trends: Cage Frames

Cage frames are a variation of the trend in thin legs as a feature, primarily in metal but also now occurring in wood. Cage frames here are more like ornamental birdcages used to decoratively impress as well as being sturdy structures.

11/06/18 12:00

Furniture Trends: Metal Frames as a Chair Feature

Metal frames are nothing new, they're popular in the contract market because they have certain benefits, but now manufacturers are taking these benefits and making a design feature, providing function and desirability in one. Chairs featured include Gaia, Line, Mullit, Macka, Moon, Graph & more!

04/06/18 11:18

Furniture Trends: The Colour Green

Gemstone colours, particularly in lush velvet fabrics, were prevalent earlier in the year but green in particular is really shaping up to be the colour of 2018, we explore the biophilic aesthetic that's fuelling the trend. We also look at the use of the colour green in the Drake & Morgan interiors.

29/05/18 12:17

Furniture Trends: Cane Chairs

Last year we saw a resurgence of chairs woven from natural materials including cane, rattan & bamboo. This year the classic cane chair continues to be reworked in innovative ways. We explore why cane is great for contract furniture.

21/05/18 11:48

2 Golden Rules for Specifying Terrazzo Table Tops

Terrazzo is a popular material for hospitality design, mostly because the attractive range of colours allow for an impressive appearance at lower cost than high-end marbles, but is it suitable for contract furniture use? Watch our acid etching test video and discover important specification tips.

14/05/18 12:13

Velvet Upholstery Care & Maintenance Tips

Contrary to popular belief velvet is not a high-maintenance fabric. Despite its delicate appearance, the fabric is well suited to contract use with regular cleaning. The biggest problem with velvet is that it is a dust magnet and that is can crease or 'bruise' but this is easily fixed, find out how.

07/05/18 11:30