Thu 14 Feb 2008
February
Kitchen designer Neil Lerner has introduced a range of fresh new colours and surfaces to complement its contemporary designs.One of these is a rich, high-gloss, lacquer finish in vivid Aubergine, to co-ordinate with surfaces and splashbacks in Shiny Almond wood. The lacquer is made from the polyurethane PUR, which is resistant to abrasion, water and chemicals and is lightfast, water vapor proof and waterproof. Up to three coats of lacquer are applied to the furniture to create great depth of colour as well as a very hardwearing finish.
www.neillerner.com
FIRED EARTH has launched a new collection of Lloyd Loom furniture, which is made in England using traditional Lloyd Loom weaving techniques.
The classically styled Parlour chair and two-seater sofa are joined in the range by the contemporary Pavilion design, which includes a dining chair. There is also the Monroe chair, a faithful replica of an original design, which was made famous when Marilyn Monroe sat in one while touring the UK with her husband, the playwright Arthur Miller, in 1956.
The collection is available in five Fired Earth paint colours, including Chalk White, Oak Apple, Weald Green, Burnt Juniper and Plumbago.
www.firedearth.com
Bathroom specialist IDEAL STANDARD has released its Imagine range of sanitaryware and furniture.
Designed by Italian Ronen Joseph, the 17 baths, basins, bidets and WC's are based on a four-sided trapezoid shape, while the complementary furniture range consists of 20 units which can be combined in a variety of permutations. Internal fittings include pull-out drawers, glass shelves and cupboards. High-gloss finishes are available, including a cheery bright red.
www.ideal-standard.co.uk
HOUSE OF MOSAICS has brought to the UK a range of Italian leather mosaic tiles that have already proved popular in Europe.
Available in a range of colours and designs, the tiles are made from genuine imported Italian leather and are suitable for use anywhere in the house, including wet areas as they are both water and oil repellent.
Simon Powell, managing director of House of Mosaics, said: "Dating back almost 4,000 years, mosaics are an established part of the 'pattern of life' and provide the perfect way to give your interior a highly individual look. These luxurious leather mosaic tiles make a decorative statement."
www.houseofmosaics.co.uk
JOHN CULLEN LIGHTING has developed a new range of decorative low-energy light fittings.
The line-up includes plaster and metal up- and downlights, bathroom mirror lights and wall-mounted bedside reading lights.
The wall-mounted plaster lights, such as the Plaster Rectangle and Plaster Square, provide shafts of light both up and down and can be painted to suit the decor.
New metal products include the Flat and Grande Flat, which work as both up and down lights and can be used throughout the house.
For the bathroom, the company has introduced compact fluorescent versions of the Bathroom Light and Small Box Lantern. These surface-mounted fittings are particularly suitable for mirrors. For low-energy lighting in the bedroom, the LED Bedside Reading Lights provide sufficient reading light.
www.johncullenlighting.co.uk
Kitchen appliance manufacturer SERVIS has unveiled a bold new black M0331 fridge freezer that never needs defrosting.
The 60cm fridge-freezer is part of a collection of black appliances, which also includes a dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. The unit has a 185-litre fridge capacity and 135 litres of space in the freezer and all internal surfaces have anti-bacterial linings. It is CFC-free and has an A energy rating, which makes it economical to run as well as environmentally friendly.
The four-star freezer's fast-freeze facility allows extremely low temperatures to be achieved when fresh food is frozen, which helps to preserve natural goodness. Totally frost-free, the freezer can be automatically defrosted when required and has active cooling technology.
The M0331 is also available in white and silver and comes with a chrome wine rack, two glass shelves, four solid freezer baskets and reversible doors.
www.servisuk.co.uk
MHS RADIATORS has developed the innovative Hot Box, which combines bathroom storage with heating.
Designed to keep towels toasty, the brushed stainless steel boxes are wall-mounted and each deliver an output of 364 watts, while the heated shelf adds a further 319 watts of warmth.
www.mhsradiators.com
Danish stove manufacturer Morso has launched its new, minimally styled 6100 series of carbon-neutral wood-burning stoves.
Wood-burning stoves are proving popular with homeowners concerned about the environmental impact of using up non-replenishable fuels. Stoves in Mors¿'s 6100 series have been designed to deal with the 'exhaust' products of the fire to ensure low smoke emissions while still maintaining a high heat output. The result of this is that the stove and chimney are kept clean.
The front of each compact stove is fitted with a large glass door on neat concealed hinges, which allows the flames to be seen.
www.morsouk.com
Kitchen appliance manufacturer DE DIETRICH has introduced three new ovens that can be combined to create a personalised cooking environment.
Each 38cm wide oven in the new Compact 38 range is designed to co-ordinate with the others and can be fitted into standard-width kitchen units, either side-by-side or stacked. All have an animated digital display and touch-controls.
The DOP799X Multifunction Plus Pyroclean Oven is equipped with a pyrolytic self-cleaning system and has eight oven functions including fan, conventional, combined, turbo grill, double grill, single grill and keep warm.
The DOV738X Steam Oven needs no plumbing and so can be situated anywhere in the kitchen. It has eight pre-set temperature settings between 55¼ and 100¼C for steaming soft fruits and vegetables at a low temperature and harder foods on a higher heat. An audible cut-off alarm sounds when the removable water reservoir is empty.
The DME799X Combination-Microwave has a drop-down door and can accommodate rectangular dishes up to 32cm wide. Its oven functions include microwave, speed defrost, microwave and fan, microwave and grill, fan, turbo grill, double grill and keep warm and the oven has a function that allows it to store the cooking settings for favourite dishes.
www.dedietrich.co.uk
Natural stone flooring company STONELL has added two new stone floors to its range. The Moderna and French Collections are exclusive to Stonell and are made from stone sourced from around the world.
Moderna consists of natural stone tiles in rich browns, soft mushrooms, modern greys and clean creams and reflects the distinctive Italian interior design style, while the
French Collection of limestones and marbles has influences that include Parisian haute couture and French chateaux. The collection is offered in a choice of finishes, including honed, polished and antique.
Liz May, Stonell's interior design consultant, said: "Many of the new stones come from the Burgundy region of France, which is famous for its wine and its stone - both of which are born out of the incredible lime rich earth of the area."
Stonell www.stonell.com
Furniture maker MULTIYORK has unveiled its Casual Living collection, an informal mix of sofas and occasional chairs in co-ordinated fabrics.
The line-up includes the Colorado sofa, shown here in ruby Palm fabric, which has high arms and deep seat cushions for comfort and is available in medium, large and extra large sizes. This is teamed with two Aspen chairs, in solid Mindi wood and Palm Stripe fabric, an Aspen coffee table and matching lamp tables.
Each item in the range is offered in a choice of 10,000 fabrics and with a selection of cushion fillings, from multi-wrap to feather and down.
Ian Bisatt, design director of Multiyork, said, "Our 'Casual' relates to a more relaxed approach to home furnishing. It takes the viewpoint of the interior designer, not the traditional three-piece suite retailer."
www.multiyork.co.uk
Curtain and blind specialist HILLARYS is now offering sliding panels as a contemporary form of window dressing and as a method of sectioning off areas of a room.
The panels are available in three different widths - 30cm, 45cm and 60cm - and glide on a track operated by a sidewinder chain or wand. Each panel cleverly picks up the next as it opens or closes and panels stack to the left, to the right, or to both sides like curtains. Weights are added to the lower hems to encourage the panel to hang satisfactorily.
The system is available in a wide choice of fabrics and colours, from a vivid orange to contemporary charcoal, as well as a variety of textures and prints.
Sarah Quilliam, head of product design for Hillarys, said, "As open-plan living becomes increasingly popular, sliding panels are a great way to create zones within a space. We're also seeing a requirement for a contemporary window dressing that suits the large windows often found in loft apartments and today's new builds. Sliding panels give great light control, privacy and a really modern feel."
0800 916 6516
Sanitaryware manufacturer KOHLER has added three new ceramic vessels to its range. Leaf, Fit and RondŽ complement Kohler's existing furniture or with specified materials to create a personalised wash area.
The Leaf design, pictured, has a curvy contemporary style, while the versatile circular RondŽ can be counter-top or inset, and the Fit has an angular shape with wide ledges for additional storage.
All have practical features including overflows with chrome covers and ample bowl sizes.
www.kohler.co.uk
UK boiler manufacturer BAXI has unveiled the innovative Micro-CHP gas boiler, which generates electricity for use in the home while also providing heating and hot water.
Similar in size to a regular wall-hung boiler and operating virtually noise and vibration free, the combined heat and power (CHP) unit generates 1kW of electricity per hour using a Free Piston Stirling Engine. Any extra electricity needed can be supplemented from the National Grid. In addition, any electricity generated by the unit that is surplus to requirement may be sold back to the National Grid.
By fitting the Micro-CHP in an average home, Baxi estimates that around one tonne of carbon dioxide could be saved annually, and the homeowner would notice a substantial reduction in fuel bills.
Martyn Coffey, chief executive officer of Baxi Group UK, said: "We are delighted with the response we have had to micro-CHP. If the Government's targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions are to be met, we as an industry have to step up to the plate and invest in developing technologies for the future. Gaining recognition of the product at the highest level means it will be easier when the product is ready for general distribution at the end of 2008."
www.baxi.co.uk
First published in Show House Magazine February 2008.
The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but some information contained within this article may have changed since it was first published.
Posted by Nicky Adams
in Baxi, De Dietrich, Fired Earth, Furnishings, House of Mosaics, Ideal Standard, John Cullen Lighting, Kohler, MHS Radiators, Morso, Multiyork, Neil Lerner, Product News, Servis, Stonell on Thu 14 Feb 2008
Have your say and comment on this article