OUTER_IM_0510 28/4/10 12:36 Page 1 Interiors Monthly Interiors Fun on the Floor Returns for third year The stars of Milan I Salone shines bright May 2010 May INNER_IM_0510 28/4/10 14:01 Page 1 Balta Broadloom PUB Interiors M 042010.indd 1 20-04-2010 13:39:00 003_IM_0510 4/5/10 10:09 Page 3 EDITOR’S COMMENT Andrew Kidd EDITOR Expect a sales rush It’s not a headline you see The same thing happened at the end of 2009 before the rate reverted to 17.5%. The very often, but shoppers downside, of course, is that everything will cost more after the rise and no-one knows are soon likely to be how badly it’ll hit sales, but hit them it will. In-store presentation, service, marketing clamouring for you to take and new products will be even more important to overcome the extra hurdle their money – really. higher VAT would present. This month will see members of the SMG, Metro and BRM As I write this there are a few still days left of flooring buying groups have a new General Election campaigning, but hopefully opportunity to see the latest products. The by now there will be a Government in charge groups’ suppliers, along with Flooring One (unless coalition wrangling is still going on). suppliers, will be exhibiting at AIS’s exhibition So why will shoppers be beating a path to centre in Solihull on 19 May, the day after the your door wanting their living room carpeted Flooring One show there. and a new sofa to go with it? And in the search for new products, at Well, because it looks likely that whoever is least there is less chance of being stuck in occupying No 11 Downing Street will have the Midlands than there was for everyone little option other than to increase VAT as who visited I Salone last month. For those of part of efforts to reduce the deficit. you who avoided the travel chaos, the best Increasing the VAT rate doesn’t cost the of Milan review starts on p66. Government any more to collect as it’s you One positive that could come from the who does the collecting, so it seems a bit of a aftermath of the Icelandic eruption is more no brainer. However, it’s unlikely the rate people staying at home this summer, which would be increased overnight, so creating a could give them more incentive to change window for shoppers to save money before their furniture or flooring. Especially if air the higher rate comes into effect. travel taxes increase as well. Editor: Andrew Kidd T: 01273 930 029 E: [email protected] Furniture advertising (South): Tim Boden T: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] Fun on the Floor Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod Bird Returns for third year T: 01565 659 414 E: [email protected] The stars of Milan Carpet and flooring advertising: Joanne Miller I Salone shines bright T: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] Visit Manchester Furniture Show Sales executive: Ben Watkins T: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] from 18-21 July for all the latest launches China sales agent: Jane Dai T: 00 86 755 8292 5229 E: [email protected] www.manchesterfurnitureshow.com Published by Interiors Media Limited Unit 11, Riverside Business Centre, Riverside House, Riverlawn Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1EP T: 01732 783 561 F: 01732 783 562 E: [email protected] Registered in England no. 6397722 Printed by Headley Brothers Design by TSS DIGITAL © Interiors Media Limited ISSN 1756-2236 www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 3 004_IM_0510 29/4/10 09:45 Page 4 005_IM_0510 4/5/10 09:45 Page 5 CONTENTS Beds and bedrooms ‘All the support of Posturepedic. All the comfort of a pocket’. CARPETS FURNITURE RUGS BEDS LAMINATE ‘Palermo’ from the new Sealy UPHOLSTERY R Posturepedic pocket collection VINYL ® ACCESSORIES INTERIORS MONTHLY MAY 2010 INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS 8 Marnie departs upholstery roles 10 Lord Kirkham in DFS sale u-turn 12 Chain goes back to its roots FEATURES 6Awards Vote for the Interiors Monthly Awards 2010 winners 20 Carpet Reducing environmental impact; Fun on the Floor returns for third year; Production investment 29 Beds and bedrooms supplement Clever storage; Dealing with complex needs; Eco bed; Moving into a new market; Making choice easy 49 Environment Is bamboo the way forward? 50 Wood and laminate Oak changes shade while designs get bolder 54 Living and dining Why marketing matters 59 Outdoor Designs so good you can use them indoors 66 Show review All the highlights from I Salone 78 Show review Thailand boosts its green credentials REGULARS 3 Comment 14 New products 80 Entertainment 82 Final polish NEXT ISSUE The best from the flooring buying groups’ show Manchester Furniture Show preview International interiors exhibitions guide www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 5 6_7awards_IMmay.qxp 30/4/10 10:51 Page 6 AWARDS VOTE FOR THE BEST IN Winners of the third Interiors Monthly Awards, recognising the best in the interiors industry, will be announced in August. As with the previous awards, the winners will be decided by you, so complete the form opposite or download it from www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk and fax it to: 01732 783 562 or email [email protected]. It’s up to you how you decide what is the best product or company in the awards category – they could be great sellers, great designs or providers of fantastic customer service. Ensure your opinion counts – you decide the winners. Everyone who votes will be entered into a draw to win a bottle of champagne. Left: Here’s a reminder of how you voted in Woodberry Bros & Haines the 2009 awards. won Best Best Flooring Retailer (1-2 Stores): Furniture Iroka Interiors Customer Service Best Flooring Retailer (3-plus Stores): Below: Fludes Fludes Carpets won Best Best Furniture Retailer (1-2 Stores): Flooring Retailer (3-plus Peter Green Stores) award Best Furniture Retailer (3-plus Stores): Barker & Stonehouse Best Online Retailer: Yourfloors Best Furniture Customer Service: Woodberry Bros & Haines Best UK Furniture Supplier: Alstons Best Non-UK Furniture Supplier: Rauch Best Furniture Buying Group: AIS Best Accessory Supplier: Prestigious Textiles Best Bed: Mirrorform – Sealy Best Bedroom: Georgian – Willis & Gambier Best Dining Room: Maison – Sherry Designs Best Living Room: Grange – Morris Furniture Best Non-UK Flooring Supplier: Balta Best Flooring Website: Crucial Trading Best Fabric Upholstery: Linear – Ashley Best Flooring Buying Group: Metro Best Flooring Distributor: Floorwise Manor Best Carpet Manufacturer: Brintons Best Software Supplier: Retailsystem.com Best Leather Upholstery: Colorado – TCS Best Rug Supplier: Rugs With Flair Best Finance Provider: LaSer UK Best Furniture Wholesaler: Flexiload Best Laminate Supplier: Balterio Best Supply Chain Company: Ceva Best Furniture Exhibition: IMM Cologne Best Solid/Engineered Wood Supplier: Logistics Best Furniture Website: Airsprung Beds Khärs Innovation Of The Year: Your Department Best Flooring Customer Service: Cormar Best Underlay: Cloud 9 – Ball & Young Store Carpets Best Vinyl: IVC – Leolan Best Business Support: Insight With Best UK Flooring Supplier: Victoria Best Flooring Exhibition (Worldwide): Passion Carpets National Floor Show Best Marketing Support: Stressless 6 Interiors Monthly May 2010 6_7awards_IMmay.qxp 30/4/10 10:51 Page 7 AWARDS THE INDUSTRY Rewarding excellence Retailers to complete only Best Vinyl Best Furniture Customer Service ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Best Flooring Exhibition Best UK Furniture Supplier ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Best Flooring Website Best Non-UK Furniture Supplier ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Best Flooring Wholesaler Best Furniture Buying Group ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Best Software Supplier (1-3 Stores) Best Accessory Supplier ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Best Software Supplier (4-plus stores) Best Bed ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Best Finance Provider Best Bedroom Range ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Best Supply Chain/Logistics Company Best Dining Room Range ........................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................