Daval Furniture, award-winning British designer and manufacturer of quality fitted furniture predicts furniture trends, with a rise in made-to-measure furniture for the kitchen, living space and bedroom as UK consumers seek interior solutions that optimise space management in 2022. Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at Daval says: KITCHENS: Painted kitchens will embrace the mellow and gentle hues of nature where land meets the sky so look out for shades of grey, cream, green and blue echoing the colours of the British countryside. When it comes to material, timber will be a go-to solution providing both traditional grounding for modern in-frame kitchens, as well as a tactile and organic contrast to pared back linear schemes with Scandi-style undertones and eco-attributes. Two key looks will dominate the kitchen market next year – Refined Country, inspired by the timeless beauty of painted Shaker-inspired furniture and Natural Renewal, in which recycled materials and tactile surface treatments and finishes take precedence. It’s safe to say the market is enjoying the ability to create whole-house interior design schemes so that the kitchen living space now includes added-value living areas like a home bar or utility/boot room with ease. Broken plan and open plan will continue to evolve with elegant and versatile made-to-measure, made-to-order furniture serving real needs in custom kitchen design. Still the cornerstone of the modern home, optimizing how the kitchen space can adapt with your lifestyle to create a supportive environment with ample storage and worktop space to accommodate family life is going to be vital next year and one of the furniture trends. Post pandemic life will bring a deeper appreciation of the capabilities of custom-made furniture, alongside the introduction of hygienic surfaces and hardworking kitchen storage like walk-in pantries. LIVING: Hybrid home-office lifestyles have brought new options to the meaning of a healthy work/life balance, and this is set to continue next year with flexible interior spaces becoming increasingly important. In fact, we are getting requests to assist customers with personalised garden rooms to work as an outside office or entertaining space. This alone underlines the markets determination to optimise indoor outdoor living all year around and offer a home office which is separate from the main building, for extra privacy and comfort. Beautifully designed media rooms, home offices and space for outside entertaining will all see resurgence next year as one of the furniture trends and built-in furniture is your answer to achieving both style and function affordably. There is real benefit to selecting furniture which is designed around the evolving needs of your growing family or changing lifestyle and so carefully curated personal spaces will become standard fare next year. BEDROOMS: In 2022, the master bedroom is all about quality time with considered space management becoming critical to enhancing wellbeing at home. This will see a rise in tactile surfaces with silky-soft finishes and ergonomic handles topping the charts alongside easy-to-use storage components, which help create a deluxe space built for comfort and relaxation. Added to that, tailor-made dressing tables, walk-in wardrobes and fitted drawer systems will evoke a five-star feel to the home, so regardless of any potential travel restrictions, you can enjoy a boutique look and feel at your leisure. I believe the sustainability theme in interior design and growing responsibility to reduce carbon footprints at home and in business, has already encouraged more people to ‘shop local’ and Buy British. This has led to a greater appreciation for family-run British manufacturers in the creative industries both regionally and nationwide.

Granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has been appointed by Formation Group PLC to provide the worktop materials for two high profile projects in London, Tottenham. Comprising of an apartment block in Tottenham Hale’s Berol Yard and phase two housing for Ashley Gardens in the London Borough of Haringey, the constructions by Berkley Square Developments have provided more than £1 million worth of work to Roann Limited to supply and fit high-quality, durable worktops. The team specified 166 units of Cosentino Silestone Lusso worktops with splashbacks for Berol Yard to complete the high-level finish seen throughout the build, and 310 units to Ashley Gardens.  “We have always found the Roann team to be professional, pro-active and an efficient organisation. Both projects at Wembley and Berol Yard, Tottenham have been handled superbly and delivered as per our schedules. Roann Limited is a pleasure to work with and we would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone,” said Commercial Manager of Formation Group, Mark Gordon. With the projects on track to begin in January 2022, the new homes will be populated by Winter 2023.  “Working with Formation Group and providing the new developments with worktops is a great way to kickstart the New Year and continue our business growth into 2022. Providing housing with durable, attractive and long-lasting materials is what we’re passionate about so being selected for this prestigious project is an exciting step for us as a company,” added Scott Wharton, Sales Director at Roann Limited. 

Rotpunkt, award winning designer and manufacturer of carbon neutral German Kitchen furniture leads the way in eco-luxe interior design on account of its market-leading furniture solution BioBoard Gen2, which has been in production for nearly two years and is available to UK customers. Made from up to 90% recycled wood, this versatile eco-luxe material is one of the most environmentally-friendly chipboards ever used in the global kitchen industry, becoming a key pillar of the company’s integrated social-environmental policy up to 2030. Not only does BioBoard Gen2 reduce the use of virgin wood in the supply chain, but it also benefits indoor climates by ensuring the amount of formaldehyde released is half that of new chipboard. “As sustainability meets luxury design in the 2022 kitchen, we are proud to lead the way with an eco-friendly alternative that does not compromise on quality or design. All KBB professionals know that ‘change is an inside job’ and developing a brand is ever-evolving, which is why we are excited to report huge retail uptake and market support in our mission to become sustainable in every aspect of our business. To paraphrase Henry Ford, ‘Any customer can have any kitchen in any colour, as long as it’s green!’ As a German manufacturer, we have long been aware of the importance of recycling and protecting the environment and in 2017 our founders decided to take action in line with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals – known as the Agenda 2030 – and so this has always been a fundamental part of our corporate responsibility,” said Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt, Matt Phillips. Rotpunkt is laser-focused on seeing green solutions throughout its supply chain from the factory floor to the end users’ experience in the showroom. The company’s senior management team is continuously working on rethinking processes and questioning consumer habits – to pursue its zero carbon target by using an “avoid-reduce-compensate” approach. Emissions that cannot be avoided or reduced have been offset through sustainability projects since 2019 in partnership with myclimate. “It is a credit to the imagination and commitment of our global Rotpunkt family that our vision is on track despite challenges in the wake of the pandemic. In 2020, we ensured that all our materials for kitchen production were fully FSC-certified and this year we converted our heating system so that it uses wood waste, having made a complete switch to green energy to promote climate-friendly production across our Bünde and Getmold sites. Our next goals are to ensure that not only are our kitchens manufactured in a carbon-neutral way, but that all our raw eco-luxe materials are zero carbon too. We are investing in our production facility at our Bünde site with state-of-the-art robotics and a photovoltaic system to harness solar power as well as installing of charging stations for electric vehicles,” added Matt. As the journey to zero carbon emissions gathers pace, so do technical innovations at Rotpunkt. For instance, a new batch production process size at the Getmold site is significantly reducing wastage and the order-shipping team now have the option of using a passive robotic exoskeleton that reduces the physical strain of performing heavy repetitive or overhead tasks. All staff can explore extensive wellness options as part of the company’s employee benefits package –proof that sustainability starts from within.

While most of us can only aspire to live in a million-pound property, that doesn’t mean that we can’t make our homes feel like a modern mansion. Design inspiration is drawn regularly from the rich and famous, but which luxury home features are more accessible than we may think? Windows and doors specialists, Genesis Collection have analysed property data to reveal the features that the UK’s million-pound properties have in common. The investigation, which involved deep-diving into hundreds of properties across the UK that are currently available on the market, found a total of seven unique features that were a recurring theme throughout. The good news? Lots of these home features are readily available to the wider public, which means everyone can draw inspiration and add a little luxury to their own spaces. Floor to Ceiling Glass Doors This feature was by far the most repeated design element encountered throughout the UK’s high-end properties. Whether sliding patio doors or aluminium bifold doors, the designs and colours varied by interior theme but the core design concept remained very much the same – floor to ceiling glass. As most of these properties also have large and beautifully landscaped gardens, it’s understandable why such a feature may be in high demand. However, the light inducing benefits of floor to ceiling glass are also popular, making this a highly sought-after element for any home. Freestanding Bathtub Though the style of many of the million-pound bathrooms varied, one common feature remained throughout – freestanding bathtubs. Whether the powder room was traditional in design, with Victorian-themed tiling and clean white features, or modern, with floor to ceiling marble, the inclusion of a freestanding bath is a clear indicator of a luxury home. Fireplace Another stunning piece encountered in almost all million-pound homes currently on the market was a statement fireplace. Coming in a vast array of designs, a fireplace can easily compliment any interior theme, whether that’s farmhouse décor or minimalist chic. Similarly, to the kitchen island, a fireplace creates a focal point in any room and creates a highly sought-after cosy ambience. Open Plan Space Perhaps an interesting observation, each of the properties analysed all had a very similar approach when it came layout, with big open plan living spaces a theme throughout. Large kitchens continuing into dining rooms and dining rooms continuing into living rooms were all popular designs. Often, this open space is also extended seamlessly through glass doors into an outdoor the patio, creating the illusion of an even larger space, thus achieving a luxury look.

Tiled stoves that only warm up are a thing of the past. Today’s end customers expect an unobstructed view of the fire from several sides and thus a real “campfire feeling”, of course with the highest environmental standards at the same time. Angularly bent fire-viewing panels made of glass ceramics are therefore correspondingly popular. In order to reduce the technically unavoidable slight bulges at the outlets of the bending edges, the special glass manufacturer SCHOTT has developed an innovative process. Irlbacher, a global specialist in glass technology and glass processing, has now added these ideally curved viewing panels to its portfolio. Angularly bent fire-viewing panels have been used for some time to create the visually enhanced impression of a fireplace. Until now, however, for physical reasons, these tended to develop a slight bulge at the outlets of the bending edge, as in the picture above left. The fireplace manufacturer has to take this bulge into account when fitting the glass ceramics exactly into a frame or even a frameless design. A special bending process for glass ceramics, developed by SCHOTT, now solves this fundamental issue. The bulge at the outlet of the bending edge is considerably reduced, as can be seen in the picture above right. The flat pane of glass ceramics is almost ideally curved and can thus be integrated into frame constructions much more easily; the frames can be much slimmer. In addition, the mechanical solidity of the curved edge can be improved by up to 80%. The result is a visually more sophisticated play of flames as well as an additional enhancement of frameless designs – for a distinctive spatial impression. The portfolio includes large bending radii between 30 and 95 mm. The soft curvature facilitates an even more natural fire experience and an all-round uninterrupted view of the flames. End customers experience a real campfire feeling in the middle of their living room. The variety of large bending radii allows fireplace manufacturers to differentiate themselves by using dense glass systems instead of two flat panes – thus creating designs that are both elegant and extravagant.

Pour Moi, the rapidly growing lingerie, swimwear and clothing brand, has commenced a comprehensive, quarter of a million-pound, fit-out project to its new head office in Brighton.  The work is being carried out by BRAC Contracts, which also completed the transformation of the building in Black Lion Street, including the construction of a new, two-storey rooftop extension that Pour Moi is leasing from DTZ Investments on a ten-year agreement.  Work on the 1,000 m² project is focused on the transformation of the fourth floor to provide office space with work including the installation of stud partition walls, glass partitions, full M and E installation and a kitchen and tea points.  The fifth floor, which boasts a stunning roof terrace with far reaching views over the Brighton coastline, will include a bar area for entertaining and product launches and a bespoke photographic studio area.  BRAC Contracts has partnered with Brighton-based Axiom Architects on the project. Pour Moi was established in Macclesfield in 2005 and set-up its head office in Brighton in 2017.  It has subsequently grown its headcount ten-fold from five employees to 50 and with further growth anticipated, it needed a new base from which to realise this growth.  Michael Thomson, CEO and Founder of Pour Moi, explains: “Moore House on Black Lion Street offers our growing business a unified balance between the fourth floor being used as a functional workspace and the fifth floor offering space to entertain, with the bonus of outside space. “Not to mention the enviable location just minutes from the seafront, which collectively sold this building to us as somewhere that we wanted to grow our fabulous brand.” Completion of the project is anticipated by mid-November and Adam Clark, MD at BRAC Contracts, concludes: “Having worked with the building owners, DTZ Investments, on the refurbishment of the existing building and the two-storey airspace extension, it was an honour to be chosen by Pour Moi to carry out the refit work – not least of all because the team there commented on the quality of our previous work. “Having been involved with this building over the entirety of its transformation, the BRAC team is looking forward to seeing how Pour Moi brings the new areas to life.”

Snowsound is honored to have earned two prestigious awards at NeoCon 2021, North America’s largest design exhibition and conference for commercial interiors. Snowsound Dunes, a wall-panel system designed by Felicia Arvid, won the prestigious Silver Award and the Innovation Award in the Acoustic Solutions category. Recognizing new products exhibited at the MART, the Best of NeoCon 2021 competition celebrates products in 52 categories in the 30th annual competition. Sponsored by NeoCon and managed by The McMorrow Reports, Best of NeoCon has been a hallmark of NeoCon since 1990. It is the official awards program honoring outstanding new products from exhibiting companies across a wide range of verticals. “We are thrilled to celebrate Snowsound’s new, permanent showroom in the Mart with two Best of NeoCon Awards for Dunes—one for Innovation and one for Acoustic Solutions. It’s proof the judges and market care about acoustics as well as aesthetics,” said Sam Barry, VP of Sales + Marketing for Snowsound North America. Dunes was also honored with an ADEX (Award for Design Excellence) Platinum Award 2021. At home in a range of commercial settings including workplace, hospitality, education and multifamily amenity spaces, Dunes is a wall-applied acoustic solution consisting of two layers of Snowsound’s Fiber Boucle textile. One layer serves as a flat base backing and the other as a three-dimensional sound-absorbing pocket created with repeating pleats held by steel clips. “Think of Dunes as a three-dimensional tapestry, with amazing acoustic performance that comes from the topographies between the backing fabric and the air pockets in the hollow reliefs of the upper layer of Snowsound Fiber,” said Barry. Dunes blends poetry and function to offer a seductive aesthetic with the unsurpassed acoustic performance Snowsound is known for. Designer Felicia Arvid’s custom hourglass shape forms a seamless, three-dimensional wall with gracefully wandering lines. The subtly undulating form vividly evokes the sensuous and feminine movement of sand dunes, which also inspire the name. The textural quality of the material with its boucle finish suggests the millions of grains of sand that comprise a dune. Dunes is available in a range of options including special order colors. It is easy to clean and sanitize, 100% recyclable and Greenguard Gold certified. Dunes provides Class A sound absorption (ISO 354), Class A fire and smoke safety (UL 723/ASTM E84) and meets CDC guidelines.