OUTER_IM_0710 29/6/10 14:39 Page 1 Interiors Monthly Interiors Interiors monthly July 2010 first for furniture and flooring Redwood Bay Bringing the US to the UK Traditional Carpets Pattern sells Matisse from G Plan Cabinets July 2010 Leading a series of classic collections CARPET FURNITURE RUGS BEDS LAMINATE UPHOLSTERY VINYL ACCESSORIES INNER_IM_0710 1/7/10 08:31 Page 1 Affordable after sales care to keep your customers happy. a full support network - Why choose us: Speak to us today on or find out more at Unit J, SK14 Business Park, Broadway, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 4QF. 003_IM_0710 24/6/10 15:49 Page 5 EDITOR’S COMMENT Andrew Kidd EDITOR Mr 20% had little choice George Osborne will be plumped for, risking the economy going back into recession. remembered for the Stores will have to pass on the rise and suppliers will be squeezed further, so price decision to increase VAT, points such as £399 and £29.99 per square metre can stay. But they also need to make a but at least he delayed it profit, so expect arguments over pricing in the coming months. until 2011. And while one man was making his debut raising money, another was making his Just as Geoffrey Howe is remembered for charitable stage exit. David Langford has raising VAT from 12.5% on ‘luxury goods’ and played a huge part in raising more than 8% on most other things (those were the £400,000 for the Furnishing Industry Trust days) to a combined rate of 15% in 1979, and through the Big Shots clay pigeon shooting Norman Lamont less so, for putting VAT up to event for the past 16 years. Without his its current rate in his 1991 decision to pay for efforts many people would be a lot worse off. a £140 cut in the poll tax, the present David, we salute you. Chancellor will be known for boosting it to The rescheduling of the National Floor 20%, regardless of the success or failure of Show to become part of the Interiors his policies in the next few years. exhibition in January is a good move, But we all expected an increase, and especially if the claimed level of retailer generally the amount, given the state of the interest is right (see p10). But it does beg the the UK’s finances. question why it wasn’t done before, rather Would you have done any different? While than the events of the past nine months. no retailer welcomes higher prices in fear of Two good shows at differing times of the putting off consumers, the big worry was year should stimulate the industry. Best that the VAT rise would be introduced far wishes to both the NFS and the Harrogate sooner than the 4 January 2011 Osborne has Flooring Show. Editor: Andrew Kidd Interiors T: 01273 930 029 E: [email protected] July 2010 Furniture advertising (South): Tim Boden monthly T: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] first for furniture and flooring Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod Bird Redwood Bay T: 01565 659 414 E: [email protected] Bringing the US to the UK The new Matisse collection from Flooring and accessories advertising: Joanne Miller Traditional Carpets T: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] Pattern sells G Plan Cabinets leads the way to Sales executive: Ben Watkins a series of new classic collections. T: 01732 783 561 E: [email protected] See them all on stand C41 at The China sales agent: Jane Dai Manchester Furniture Show. T: 00 86 755 8292 5229 E: [email protected] Tel: 0141 300 7300 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] Matisse from G Plan Cabinets Registered in England no. 6397722 Leading a series of classic collections Printed by Headley Brothers Design by TSS DIGITAL CARPET FURNITURE RUGS BEDS LAMINATE UPHOLSTERY VINYL ACCESSORIES © Interiors Media Limited ISSN 1756-2236 www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 3 004_IM_0710 2/7/10 17:56 Page 4 Kavern by www.davidfoxdesign.com DESIGN Come and see our exciting new range of Sleepluxe pocket encapsulated mattresses at The Manchester Furniture Show 2010 on Stand B35 Visit KomfiÕs stand to see their fabulous range of products for all price points. On display youÕll find the upgraded Sleepsmart range, through to the expanded and improved Komfi bed collection including the stunning new ÒdesignerÓ Kavern bed, and much, much more. RsnbjhrsrGdkokhmd9 /7//5413334 vvv-jnleh-bnl 005_IM_0710 24/6/10 14:46 Page 5 CONTENTS INTERIORS MONTHLY JULY 2010 INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS 8 VAT rise delayed until 2011 10 Langford passes on FIT baton 12 NFS moves to January alongside Interiors FEATURES 22 Redwood Bay Bringing US style to the UK 30 Traditional Carpets Why patterns are still in vogue 34 Carpet Why images matter 40 Upholstery Keeping it simple; Sell the dream 47 Wood and laminate supplement New area for Quick-Step; Keeping it in the family; Why choice matters 56 Living and dining Singapore on a roll 60 Beds and bedroom Why sofabeds are cool again 64 Trend Watch Introducing our new feature 68 Show guide: The Manchester Furniture Show 76 Show preview: Harrogate Flooring Show 80 Show review: ICFF REGULARS 3 Comment 13 Opinion 14 New products 54 Environment 84 Entertainment 86 Final polish NEXT ISSUE Interiors Monthly 2010 Awards revealed The Manchester Furniture Show review Harrogate Flooring Show guide www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk 5 6news_IMjul.qxp 25/6/10 10:52 Page 6 NEWS Verdict says VAT rise will have little impact on retail The increase in VAT from 17.5% to 20% on 4 January 2011 Verdict does not expect the VAT rise to have ‘a great deal will have a ‘minimal’ impact on retail and price rises for of effect’ on furniture and flooring. ‘With deep discounting furniture and flooring will be ‘disguised among in this sector remaining, most rises will be disguised promotions,’according to retail analyst Verdict Research. among the promotions, and as consumer spending is Commenting on the main tax rise of George Osborne’s already constrained there will be little appetite for major Emergency Budget, Verdict says: ‘The main outcome will be purchases. This will be particularly so given the housing to reduce volumes but the effect will be minimal given that market, the sector’s main stimulus, remains stagnant and consumers’ shopping habits are already changing. the Emergency Budget will do little to change this.’ ‘Consumers are already cutting back on spending and It warned that non-specialists such as supermarkets and when purchasing discretionary items, are taking a more value retailers will increase market share in the homewares cautious approach, considering the benefits of the sector as prices rise and ‘more discretionary purchases, purchase. The VAT increase will only serve to inflate this particularly items bought for aesthetic purposes, will be trend and ensure that value for money remains top of the worst impacted with a higher level of caution exercised consumers’ minds when shopping.’ by consumers.’ Supermarkets will see market share grow Delivery driver ‘licked woman’s face’ Stores to close A furniture delivery driver who licked a got him to leave, but as he did so he The remaining 10 department stores customer’s face and stuck his tongue in licked the right side of her face and stuck owned by Vergo Retail were set to close her ear after helping her assemble the his tongue in her ear. As he walked away, as Interiors Monthly went to press. flatpacked bed he delivered, has received she reported him as having ‘a funny Administrator MCR has only sold one – a nine month suspended sentence. smirk on his face as he winked at her’. Robbs of Hexham to Beales for £250,000 Northampton Crown Court was told Judge Charles Wide QC also made – and has already closed nine. that Victor Rollasons, 56, was employed Rollasons, who was dismissed by Vergo expanded rapidly last year by Furniture Direct when he delivered Furniture Direct, the subject of a six- buying Plymouth and South West the bed to the 29-year-old woman last month 7pm to 6am home curfew. Co-operative Society’s Derrys department September. ‘Women alone at home must feel Store in Plymouth and four Homemaker After offering to help he tried to kiss completely confident they are not going stores in Devon and Cornwall, and East of her. Rebecca Wade, prosecuting said: ‘She to be assaulted by someone making a England Co-operative Society’s reacted and turned her face away so his delivery,’he said. department stores in Norwich, Ipswich, lips brushed the side of her face leaving Rollasons denied sexual assault but Great Yarmouth, Clacton-on-Sea and saliva as he hugged her closer.’ was convicted and placed on the Sex Colchester, plus six specialist home stores The woman, who cannot be named, Offenders’ Register for five years. and one jewellery store. 6 Interiors Monthly July 2010 007_IM_0710 30/6/10 12:40 Page 7 8news_IMjul.qxp 24/6/10 17:03 Page 8 NEWS Hilco rings the changes at Habitat Habitat has seen a major unique history and I think it will do management change, seven months better if it reconnects with its after it was bought by Hilco for €3. customers and doesn’t worry too Phil Wrigley, former chief executive much about parent companies or and chairman of clothing chain New what’s happening in other markets,’ Look, has been named chairman.