Category: interior

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Faux Leather For Flooring

Cream Faux Leather Upholstery
Black Faux Leather Upholstery
Black Faux Leather Upholstery

KOTHEA was asked if Faux Leather could be used as flooring. We have experience of putting faux leather just about on any surface: in yachts, in hotels, in villas, on doors, on walls, on bars and of course on furniture. But sadly no experience with floors.

Some of the faux leathers/faux skins we sell have a Martindale / Rub test of over 100,000. This is suitable for HEAVY/CONTRACT upholstery. However to extrapolate that to even light use flooring is risky. The rub test mimics more the action of sitting rather than being walked upon. The forces exerted by walking, running and carrying things on faux leather would be much more than in seating areas. This would be further complicated by the adhesive which would have to be both perfectly bonded throughout the entire area in contact with the floor (possible) and the adhesive would have to be strong (possible).

Having said that I have a sneaky feeling that it is possible in reasonably low traffic areas. After all it is possible to buy leather tiles. Perhaps also the covering applied after laying can improve stability and durability. If you would like me to give a more definitive response on this issue please leave a comment.

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Mohair & Cashmere Silk Velvet: Testing

Chic-sofaHotels, Yachts and many public places have strict requirements for fabrics both for fire retardancy and wear, usually measured in the UK by an abrasion test (commonly referred to as Martindale or ‘rub test’).  Some of KOTHEA’s Mohair Velvets are highly suitable in such environments with a certified Martindale of 100,000 – which is more than the usual contract requirement of between 20,000 – 30,000.

We have many velvets of differing compositions (Silk Velvets, Cotton Velvets, Linen Velvets, etc.) and we were interested to see how one of the velvets, at the very highest end of our range, would perform. So we used SGS to test one of our Cashmere Silk Velvets (75% Cashmere 25% Silk).

The tests were undertaken in accordance with BSEN14455 (based on BSENISO12947) and a result of 13,000 rubs was obtained, which considering the perceived delicacy of the product was fantastic. 13,000 rubs make the product suitable for light usage such as residential.

 

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Be Bold. Be Brass.

Source: Be Bold. Be Brass.

Very dark perhaps with a bit of brass. Very unusual with the colour scheme but it works.

We love the low lying seating with the off-black upholstery faux leather.

KOTHEA have a wide range of contract and residential fabrics including many types of faux leather

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5 most common questions to Interior designers

Source: 5 most common questions to Interior designers

I imagine the most popular questions is “How much?”. You can see the other answers in the link.

 

What drew my attention to this image was: the black and cream contrast of the faux leather;  the contrast of hard and soft; the contrast of natural and man-made. Contrast really. But done well.

KOTHEA have a wide range of contract and residential fabrics including many types of faux leather

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Designer Profile: ZOË ETTER

Designer Zoe Etter :: LibraryUp-and-coming Fabric Designer, Zoë Etter, was recently commissioned by KOTHEA to update our linen ‘Alpha Boucle’ upholstery fabric for S/S 2017 to incorporate new elements for the luxury market. The muted fabric features the addition of embellished and tufted yarn in simple linear shapes which are designed for a smart, contemporary look for the home.

alpha Boucle - Striped (2017)The refined designs are aimed at clients who want a simple, durable style that is visually effective. The soft colourways combined with the rich textures offers flexibility for a statement upholstery that is classic in style with a modern edge. Most suitable for chairs and soft furnishings, the fabrics’ 3D look is inviting, and remains comfortable whilst giving a luxurious feel.

Abstract shapes, bold lines and textures typify most of Zoë’s design work, whether it be for fashion or interiors. Photography strongly influences the start of a project and is always at the heart of her work. It is predominantly inspired by natural forms which are interpreted through mark making to create bold patterns and textures. Her most recent collection is based around neon florals for the festival-goer.

Another recent project focuses on strong monochromatic designs inspired by the Cornish coastline, which are ideal for creating a graphic look for warmth and interest in a room.

Zoë can be contacted for private commissions directly on zoe.etter@outlook.com or through zoeetter.tumblr.com

Cushion Visualisations   .

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Bathroom Finishes and Fittings for All Budgets

bathroomThere are several of various factors to take into account when upgrading areas within your home. One of the greatest is your own budget. In the event your bathroom is in need of some more than due TLC then you have to find bathroom fittings and finishes for any spending budgets.

Renovating could be an outrageously expensive endeavour. It is because you do not only want the very best, but in some cases need to have the very best. The one element that you can’t afford to not spend money on is the tiling of the bathroom. There are so many different tiles on the market, however the tiles should be resistant to water and more durable. At the end of your day bathroom is actually a spot which is unavoidably getting wet. You don’t want to have a mold growing because you didn’t invest your money properly. After you have sorted out the tiles, you should look for other spots in which you will require replacing. The one excellent elements of a bath room is that it is very easy to buy bathroom fixtures that come in one set. Essentially you can get a sink, bath tub as well as toilet all in one go, for one overall price.

Bathroom fixtures are certainly the best choice for the budget conscious, specifically if you just have forked out a lot of cash on your tiles. Such bath room fittings are actually known as bathroom sets and there is a vast array to pick from. In most cases the particular designs are fairly simple. There are hardly any that seem to be particularly distinctive and the ones that possess a more contemporary look will be a bit more costly. This isn’t to say that the other sets look like they’ve got just emerge from the seventies but rather that they do not have an “artistic” appearance. Acquiring a set will surely help you to reduce your financial budget and spend cash in different places. All you need to do is decide on a colour and design and you’ll have three items checked off of your bath room wish list.

Other finishes that are a must have for the bathroom, is certainly storage space. Bathrooms are generally in the smaller sections just as it is, which is why making use of the space wisely is really a necessity. There are 2 methods to put storage space and arrange your bathrooms, either installing it or secluding it. Bathroom cupboards can be used on your wall, and not just offer a mirror but space within it to keep the medication along with other essential items into it. The next choice is to seclude the storage, by simply pushing it into a corner. There are actually 3 tiered corner tables that have been developed, having a triangle shape back so that they can be pushed into the corner sides of bathroom. In either case you’ll be able to build space that is budget conscious.