Blog | Furniture knowledge

Using Flooring for Table Tops

Did you know that you can use wooden floor boards to make table tops? Increasingly, we are being asked to use solid wood floor boards and engineered floor boards to make table tops...

21/01/22 14:34

Have you ever wondered why veneers are used instead of solid timber? Is solid wood always the best choice for your table top? In this article, we delve into everything you need to know about veneer table tops.

13/01/22 12:54

VAT Free Trade

Are you confused about whether VAT will be charged on your furniture purchase? If so, you’re not alone. In this article, we will explain when you will be able to trade with us VAT-free and when not. There are 4 typical scenarios...

14/12/21 13:03

Wooden Table Top Thicknesses

Wooden table tops are generally supplied in thicknesses that relate to standard thicknesses of timber planks or sheet materials. They usually come in the following thicknesses...

24/11/21 12:46

Wooden Table Tops - Types of Wood

Wooden table tops are robust, last for ages, look better with a bit of wear and can be made to match pretty much any interior design scheme. We detail the pros and cons of different types of wooden table tops including beech, ash, oak & teak as well as the benefits of veneers and engineered wood.

11/11/21 11:10

Sofa Styles for the Hospitality Industry

A look at some of the top sofa trends within the hospitality industry. A break down of each type, and how to select the right style of sofa for any purpose.

23/06/21 10:03

Foam In Seats – Making Sitting Comfortable

The comfort of an upholstered seat comes from a mixture of: • The composition of the foam under the upholstery • The depth of the foam. • The structure under the foam.

17/09/20 17:12

Class 0 & Class 1 (2, 3 & 4) Fire Rating For Contract Furniture

Class 0 & Class 1 are fire ratings that we are occasionally asked for. This article explains the terms and how they apply to contract furniture.

26/09/19 16:40

11 Alternatives To Marble Table Tops

Marble has downsides that mean it's not the ideal material for hospitality use. This is our list of marble alternatives to consider when specifying for your projects.

18/04/19 11:40

Hospitality Furniture Fire Safety Regulations

Legal fire safety requirements for contract furniture can be confusing because it's covered by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) and not the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations (FFFSR) which covers domestic use. Here is an important summary for commercial designers.

25/03/19 11:34

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

Sustainable Furniture: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Creating sustainable furniture depends on legislation, type of materials used, logistics & waste & some of the designs are prettier than others! Green chairs usually include a headline product, which may be recycled or a waste product. Discover the Alhambra Eco Side Chair & the Zartan Raw Chair.

12/02/18 10:46

Things To Consider Before Buying Bespoke Furniture

We supply many types of bespoke furniture but take care, bespoke furniture will tend to take longer than range products, read this blog before committing. We give some guidelines for bespoke metalwork, upholstery, dining chairs, table tops and combinations of materials from different suppliers.

05/02/18 11:28

21st Century Furniture Trends

Since 2000 there have been numerous furniture trends, some longer-lasting than others. These are the ones that we recognise: contemporary classic, design classics & poseur tables, plastic chairs, eclectic layouts. Then came a fashion for interesting table tops & the latest major trend, retro.

22/01/18 11:37

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Furniture Styles Infographic

A handy infographic explaining furniture styles with images and descriptions. Discover the difference between Industrial, Bentwood, Vintage, Scandinavian, Reclaimed, Ethnic furniture, Organic Forms and Classic Designs with pictorial examples of each.

08/01/18 10:47

Furniture Styles by Era

A handy guide to furniture styles by era with pictorial examples, synonyms and definitions. Discover the difference between Traditional Furniture & Early 20th Century Furniture, see examples of popular Mid-Century style chairs & differentiate between Timeless and Contemporary terms.

02/01/18 12:17

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The A-Z of Contract Furniture Terms

Do you know your aris from your ogee and just what is a splat? Find out in our glossary of contract furniture terms. These terms are frequently used in the contract furniture industry. New terms often appear with new trends or innovative production methods and will be added to the list when we encounter them.

11/12/17 10:58

Contract Upholstery, Sofas & Soft Seating: 25 Points to Consider

Here are 25 points to consider that will affect the speed of delivery, lifespan, and overall design and feel of contract upholstery, sofas and soft seating. Tips include dimensions, fabric qualities and quantities, leather and hide ordering cushion conumdrums and the varying scope of seat softness.

27/11/17 11:06

Restaurant Table Tops: Marble, Metal & More!

Wood is often chosen for restaurant table tops but there are plenty of other options to choose from. Some are hard wearing but less attractive, while others are beautiful but brittle or easily tarnished. Here's a rundown of restaurant table top options including marble tables, metal tables and more.

30/10/17 11:58

Wooden Table Top Planks & Strengthening

Wooden table tops are generally made of planks of wood. These planks can have varying widths, giving the ability to make custom designs & can be reinforced with batons. Discover why open ended planks are used for outdoors, & why the direction of planks is important when joining tables together.

16/10/17 10:17