Category: Companies

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Iconic Furniture by LLI Design 

Studio-LLIIconic Furniture was conceived out of an in house side project at LLI Design. Starting initially as a bunch of mid century furniture sketches we were looking at ways to “frame” and present the sketches and get them off paper into a more permanent form.
To progress the initial sketches they were scanned and outlined in Adobe Illustrator, several graphic styles were explored, but we eventually settled on the one used as we felt it struck a good balance between accuracy and playfulness with a nod towards mid century advertising illustration.

After deciding that the project would be published as an interactive website we explored multiple ways to display the illustrations and text; settling on a strong graphic style utilising Lato font in various weights. The bold muted background colour palette was again inspired by period Mid century advertising and posters to complement the furniture.

Finally the parallax effect (vertical scrolling moving panels) was employed to add intrigue as each new illustration is revealed.

 

Iconic Furniture, was designed and developed in house by LLI Design – http://llidesign.co.uk

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Eco Friendly Transport For Fabrics/ Home Textiles

Unfortunately for us in the interior design industry many fabrics are imported from exotic locations all over the world. Sometimes this can be by air freight which is one of the largest contributions to global carbon emissions – perhaps in excess of 600 million tonnes per year.

The best environmentally friendly alternatives to air are by truck or by sea. Clearly these options have limites. Like many fabric manufacturers, KOTHEA endeavour to freight all goods woven in Europe by truck; as well as being the most environmentally freindly option, it is the cheapest option for European-sourced goods and is usually as quick as by air. Fabric from further afield, such as silk from Asia, is an attractive proposition for a manufacturer as it usually costs less to produce; it is much more cheaply shipped by sea but this can add weeks onto the delivery time.

Unfortunateley when designers simultaneously demand quick delivery and lower prices this can often involve air freight from Asia and the associated enironmental cost. One thought would be for fabric suppliers to ship in advance by sea and hold larger stock levels in the UK – there is of course then a significant amount of capital tied up in extensive collections across multiple colourways sometimes for long periods of time, that would raise the price.

Is the only environmental way forward for designers and their clients to demand environmentally shipped fabrics and be prepared to pay the premium and wait the extra time for delivery? Should suppliers take a hit and hold higher stock levels?

Is there a better way?

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Directory Listings Of Top Market Fabric Suppliers In The UK

Click the fabric company name for their web site:

Abbot and Boyd 020 7351 9985
Altfield 020 7351 5893
Alton Brooke 020 7376 7008
Borderline 020 7823 3567
Brian Yates 01524 35035
Brunswig 020 7351 5797
Bruno Triplet 020 7823 9990
Chase Erwin 020 8875 7441
Colefax 020 7244 7427
Colony Fabrics 020 7351 3232
Donghia 020 7823 3456
Gainsborough Silk 01787 372081
Henry Bertrand 020 7349 1477
Jab 020 7349 9323
Jane Churchill 020 7244 7427
Jrobertscott 020 7376 4705
KOTHEA 020 8943 4904
Kravet 020 7795 0110
Lee Jofa 020 7823 3455
Lelievre 020 7352 4798
Manuel Canovas 020 8877 6400
Nobilis 020 7351 7878
Pierre Frey 0207 376 55 99
Robert Allen 01494 474741
Sacho Hesslein 020 7352 6168
Silk Gallery 020 7351 1790
Turnell and Gigon 020 7259 7280
Watts Westminster 020 7376 4486
Zimmer and Rhode 020 7351 7115
Zoffany 08708 300 350

Many of these fabric companies sell a wide range of products including: chenille, contract fabric, faux / fake leather, mohair velvet, linen velvet, cotton velvet, wool,  hand woven products, natural silk, cashmere and damask for upholstery, curtains and cushions.

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Fabric Treatment Companies – FR Flameproofing

We are often asked to recommend fabric treatment companies for flame retarding in contract installations. Most treatment companies offer other services such as; back coating fabric for walls and stain resistance/repellency. There are several such companies in the UK and at various times we have used all of the following:

Essex Flameproofing,

Textiles FR, and

TEK Treatments

Just click the company name to take you to their web site. Please feel free to add comments to this posting recommending any suppliers you have used but any negative comments about other companies are not permitted on this site. Thank you.

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Katie Malik Interiors

From time-to-time, KOTHEA are happy to host profiles of interior designers and architects to boost their awareness and provide a link to their work/website.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Hello, my name is Katie Malik and I’m an interior designer based in Cambridge. Here is my story: during my secondary school years, I developed a love for interior design but put my passion on hold to instead earn a degree in Linguistics. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, making me a much better communicator and an excellent listener. I completed Interior Design training at Chelsea College of Art in London and finally turned my passion into a full-time job.

Now, I design for and on behalf of Katie Malik Interiors, which I founded in 2012. In accordance with the belief “A home should reflect the people living there”, Katie Malik Interiors is about taking a holistic view of the way individuals use and enjoy their space and delivers bespoke interior design solutions to homeowners and developers both in the UK and internationally.

Our trademark is efficient, yet sophisticated and timeless design, demonstrated across a range of large and small-scale projects, featured, among the others, in the Homify magazine. We are also very excited for the kitchen we designed to appear in the Ideal Home magazine very soon.

Visit our inspirational website: www.katiemalik.co.uk or search for interior design advice on our blog: https://kothea.com

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Textile Pinking Machines

For the emergency fabric samples that we sometimes have to make when we are out of stock of samples we use the GOLDSTAR pinking machine. Here’s a quick youtube video from the manufacturer

And here is another one that looks a bit more industrial strength.

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Fabric Suppliers In The UK To Top Market Trade Customers

Photo Credit: KOTHEA Linen Throws

Fabric Suppliers In The UK To Top Market Interior Designers & Architects are shown in the following directory listing:.

Abbot and Boyd 020 7351 9985
Altfield 020 7351 5893
Alton Brooke 020 7376 7008
Borderline 020 7823 3567
Brian Yates 01524 35035
Brunswig 020 7351 5797
Bruno Triplet 020 7823 9990
Chase Erwin 020 8875 7441
Colefax 020 7244 7427
Colony Fabrics 020 7351 3232
Donghia 020 7823 3456
Gainsborough Silk 01787 372081
Henry Bertrand 020 7349 1477
Jab 020 7349 9323
Jane Churchill 020 7244 7427
Jrobertscott 020 7376 4705
KOTHEA 020 8943 4904
Kravet 020 7795 0110
Lee Jofa 020 7823 3455
Lelievre 020 7352 4798
Manuel Canovas 020 8877 6400
Nobilis 020 7351 7878
Pierre Frey 0207 376 55 99
Robert Allen 01494 474741
Sacho Hesslein 020 7352 6168
Silk Gallery 020 7351 1790
Turnell and Gigon 020 7259 7280
Watts Westminster 020 7376 4486
Zimmer and Rhode 020 7351 7115
Zoffany 08708 300 350

Many of these fabric companies sell a wide range of products including: chenille, contract fabric, faux / fake leather, mohair velvet, linen velvet, cotton velvet, wool, hand woven products, natural silk, cashmere and damask for upholstery, curtains and cushions.

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|* 99 *| Top Interior Design Websites & Blogs for 2014, Leading Interior Designers London > UK> Europe > World

We’ve scoured the net to find and list the sites we know and love. Some you already know, some you will love once you see them for the first time. Either way enjoy the depth and variety of the information on our industry and don’t forget to see which ones are voted as the ‘best’ at the end of this article – you can vote for your favourite too.

These are all sites that might be useful for interior designers rather than ones created by interior designers (or their suppliers) to promote their business. Maybe they provide a nice showcase or perhaps just a tad of inspiration in a seemingly never-ending sea of banality. Enjoy!

In no particular order then:

  1. Houzz.com – probably one of the best resources.
  2. pinterest.com – yep, you know that one too
  3. saniapell.com/athomeblog – At Home !! Best Image Curation !!
  4. Dezeen – Architecture, Interiors, Design
  5. Design Spotter
  6. The Business Bible For Interior Designers
  7. worldinteriordesignnetwork.com
  8. wallpaper.com
  9. decofinder.co.uk
  10. archpaper.com
  11. thehousedirectory.com
  12. designboom.com
  13. echochamber.com Retail matters
  14. thecoolhunter.co.uk Roaming the UK and the globe so you’re in the know
  15. roomreveal.com – Like Houzz
  16. design-milk.com
  17. Remodelista – Sourcebook for considered living
  18. http://www.architecturaldigest.com/
  19. architonic.com
  20. homeshoppingspy.com – Irresistible home buys you will love
  21. emmas.blogg.se – Design and style from a Scandinavian perspective
  22. The Fabric Blog
  23. thebeatthatmyheartskipped.co.uk – Dedicated to daily design inspiration   !! BEST NAME !!
  24. icreatived.com – Interesting Creative Designs. Find a different world in site..
  25. Apartment Therapy
  26. paper.li/JaffeDesign/1323302539
  27. My friend’s house
  28. Pachadesign
  29. Moon to Moon – Sharing the best in eclectic Interior design from across the web
  30. The Selby – is in your place
  31. Design Sponge
  32. Design Squish
  33. The Accessorator – Musings from Judi Roaman
  34. A Library of Design
  35. Slim Paley – Cats, Queens and other things
  36. A Bloomsbury Life – Within Shopping distance of Hollywood and Vine
  37. Design Tripper
  38. Herriott Grace –  A savings account for things I like
  39. Emerson Merrick
  40. Even Cleveland
  41. Past Imperfect
  42. Moco Loco – Design Interiors, Art Architecture
  43. wowhaus.co.uk – Wow property for sale
  44. brightbazaarblog.com – quintessentially colourful
  45. roomenvy.co.uk – Dedicated to finding the latest lust-have schemes
  46. thepeakofchic.blogspot.co.uk – Musing on stylish living
  47. Arianna Interiors – the woman rocking the world of interiors
  48. bibleofbritishtaste.com/category/houses
  49. ikeahackers.net
  50. designshuffle.com/blog
  51. witandwhistle.com/blog – Stylishly quirky paper goods
  52. thishomesweethome.blogspot.co.uk – Interiors DIY inspiration
  53. designismine.blogspot.com – bringing on the inspiration
  54. klausandheidi.wordpress.com
  55. arowantree.blogspot.co.uk
  56. talesfromahappyhouse.blogspot.co.uk
  57. mylittleorangery.com
  58. printpattern.blogspot.co.uk
  59. designspiration.net
  60. ardesiadesign.co.uk/blog
  61. stephmodo.com – Where practical meets pretty
  62. dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.co.uk
  63. decor8blog.com – fresh finds, inspiring interiors and ideas
  64. whatsinyourbedroom.blogspot.co.uk
  65. Fresh Design Blog
  66. The Design Sheppard – Rounding up the very best in interior design today
  67. Isak Blog
  68. InHabitat – design will serve the world (and show you quite a few adverts…)
  69. Web Urbanist – Daily New Articles Featuring Architecture, Art, Design, Travel, & Technology
  70. Swiss Miss
  71. Desire to Inspire
  72. Better Living through Design – Your design guide to home and style
  73. Freshome – Design & Architecture
  74. Trendir – Home decorating trends
  75. the style files
  76. Sub-Studio Design Blog – a compilation of products, furniture, jewelry, architecture and artists that float our boat
  77. Funfurde – Funky.  Furniture.  And. Design.
  78. Contemporist
  79. GrassrootsModern
  80. 2Modern Design Talk
  81. Coochicoos – a design blog for modern parents
  82. Home Design Find
  83. Haute Nature
  84. Hatch: The Design Public Blog – Fresh new design
  85. Gaile Guevara
  86. Breathe Modern
  87. ProjectDecor
  88. Belle Maison 23 – Inspirational finds for creating a beautiful home
  89. archiproducts.com
  90. archello.com/en/products
  91. http://www.stylepark.com/
  92. http://www.materia.nl/
  93. designaddict.com/
  94. iconicdutch.com/uk
  95. carlaaston.com
  96. mydesignsource.com
  97. modenus.com/
  98. Yanko Design – Form beyond function

Shows:

As the cleverer ones amongst you have spotted there are not YET the 99 promised. Suggest more to me using the voting mechanism below (you can add voting options)….

Please LIKE or SHARE … it keeps us sane to know that you are out there benefitting from the information WE share. XOXOXOX

Now VOTE for your FAVOURITES – you have ONE CHANCE to vote but you can vote for lots of sites in that one voting chance. You can also add your own website or blog to the list if you feel brave enough in the face of very stiff competition!! If you get ‘lots’ of votes I’ll add you to the list with a link 😉 But YOU can only vote once.

[polldaddy poll=7238136]

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Top Interior Design Blogs in 2013 (Spring Trending)

English: The Logo for the TV show What’s Trending (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Top Interior Design Blogs: We’ve been watching the stats from some design blogs over the last few months and these ones, whilst not all receiving uber-high traffic, a certainly at least ones to watch and ones that are trending in the right direction at the moment.

1. Abigail Ahern

2. Arianna Interiors

3. Bright.Bazaar

4. Fresh Design Blog

5. The Design Sheppard

6. Isak Blog

7. My friend’s house

8. This Home Sweet Home

9. Pachadesign

10. Moon to Moon

Q: How do YOU trend?

A: Write great, original content. The rest ‘just follows naturally’

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Inspiring Blog Award – Interior Design

Interior Design 2013

A big thank you to Kiki for our nomination for the Inspiring Blog Award. It’s always great to know that we are reaching out to new generations of Interior Designers.

Following the rules of this award, I have to tell you a little bit about myself.

1. Many years ago I danced with Brad Pitt. Well; I was in the same nightclub and I sort of manoeuvred myself into his general vicinity. That counts right?

2. One of my scariest moments is travelling at over 230kmh in a sports car. I wasn’t driving (luckily someone else was) and you will be relieved to know that we were on a race track.

3. I inadvertently inherited a collection of 1980s vinyl ‘LP’ covers. After years of sitting in a box, I discovered that when framed then made a great art installation next to my work area at home.

4. The first paint I chose was for my own bedroom. Dark green. Hmmm.

5. I like people, dogs and cats. In that order.

6. Most interesting party venues: On a rooftop in Manhattan and some bizarre, mostly uninhabited, island somewhere near Comodo that even now I can’t quite remember the name of.

7. Most stupid question, “Do you like chocolate?”

Inspirational Blogs (I’d like to nominate!): Here are some that I enjoy:

Pippa Jameson

Kelly Hoppen

The Style Files

Anne Sage

Design Geek

Apartment Therapy

Tevami

There are a few rules to accepting this blog award…

1. Display the award image on your blog page.

2. Link back to the person who nominated you and ‘like’ the post

3. State seven facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

5. Notify your bloggers of their nomination and link to their posts.