Fashion Statements
Seating of every type, fabric and design was much in evidence at the show from elegant aluminium chairs with removable cushions for conservatories, to teak outdoor furniture, to bright, outrageous seating, as well as the more conventional sofas and armchairs.
Trendsetting seating and chairs were on display at the Primo stand such as the tub chair (model P843T) for hotel bedrooms and bar areas. It can be upholstered in real leather or fabric. Also new was the Topaz range of hotel bedroom furniture, comprising 25 complementary items including bedside tables, dressing tables, mirrors, wardrobes and luggage racks. One of the bench seating was on display - the Profile Ten Seating - 3.7m in length - which is a flexible product as it can be made tighter or more shallow.
The latest addition to the Metalen Hospitality Furnishings range is the new styling option Insignia. This comprises five designs and motifs, in 100 colours, which can be embroidered onto the backs of any chairs from its collection.
Sexy and stylish seating was on display on the Miranda Group stand such as the Orbit chair with its pink metallic frame and luscious leopardskin seat or the Manhattan Carver chair with a metallic frame and ruby red seating.
The Fresh seat from HJ Berry has an ergonomically split back rest for maximum comfort, suitable for bars and restaurants. It's a fun chair, as well as offering comfort.
The Monti model is a frame to frame stacking chair which eliminates fabric wear and stacks up to six high. It is available with or without arms and can be supplied in many finishes.
The Vario chair which scooped a Gold Award in the New Product Awards, attracted a great deal of attention on the GN Burgess stand. One of its features is a handle on the back for easy manoeuvrability. It has a flexible back and is very comfortable as visitors to the stand found out for themselves by sitting in it. The chair can be easily stacked up to ten.
Fine teak furniture was in abundance on the Gloster stand. The new Atlantic range features a reclinable Steamer Chair with detachable footstool and a stackable dining chair. The teak slatted back of the steamer chair reclines to three positions and when completely flat, can be used as a sunlounger. The footstool can be folded underneath the bed of the steamer if required.
The new Madison Backless Bench combining comfort and practicality, can be used for a multitude of uses from the pub garden to the conservatory. In three sizes - 120cm, 150cm and 174cm.
The Heritage stacking chair from the Indian Ocean Trading Company is a stacking version of the company's Heritage Armchair, with the same elegant lines and ergonomic tailored back. Or there's the Salisbury stacking chair for those situations where space may be required periodically in addition to an outdoor seating area.
"Innovative, new and modern" is how chef Nick Nairn described the new Snack Attack collection when he visited the Churchill China stand. The collection, launched last year in white only, is now available in blue and yellow.
Nairn said: "This collection demonstrates the effect Asian food is having on the market. It is very flexible as it can be used to serve so many different things. People are becoming used to ‘grazing' - they no longer expect a big meal and this collection reflects that."
The Snack Attack collection comprises a triangular place and seven ancillary items - small and large cappuccino cups, a relish pot, a dipper pot, small and large soup bowls and a 10oz elegant mug. This means that a limitless collection of snack dishes can be served from soup to coffee and cake.
Jeff Banks, the fashion designer, was another VIP visitor to the stand to launch the Tuscany tableware collection which he designed for the company. Its design is based on classical Italian tiles and scrolls, combined with an elegant script. Aimed at the casual dining market, it includes items such as a Mediterranean dish and pasta bowl.
"We wanted to get away from mundane designs and do something eclectic - we wanted to be different and produce a range which had multi uses," said David Roger of Dudson regarding the company's 2000 presentation range. It has certainly succeeded! The range comprises a tray, on top of which snugly fit three small bowls - ideal for bar snacks, soup, samplers, three ice creams for dessert or anything that fits the menu, all with a 2000 theme.
Dudson has now extended this idea and offers the same range (a tray with three small bowls) in different colourways to match existing tableware, without 2000 branding.
To capitalise on the boom in coffee shop culture, Steelite International launched a new Cafe Society range - a collection of themed products called "Reflections" and "Moods".
Reflections comprises two concepts illustrated on saucers, each designed to work with the existing ranges of Carnival and Simplicity cups. Four sauces carry words such as "enjoy", "chill out", "relax", written in mirror images on the saucers. The Moods range of badged cups and saucers, soups bowls and snack plates continues the theme of "reflections" with each piece featuring a word like "relax", "revive" and "enjoy". Each badge is available in fun colours such as yellow, green and lilic seat against a white background for visual impact.
Villeroy & Boch displayed its Millenia tableware collection which includes a design by French artist and pattern designer Alain Vavro. The service includes seven plates sizes; a variety of platters and dishes; bowls; a gravy boat and a coffee set and tea set. A selection of co-ordinating accessories including items such as a candlestick and jam pots are also available.
Marley took the floor at Hotelympia with its range of sheet and tile vinyl floorcoverings.
The Safetred range comprises three slip-resistant floorcoverings: Dimension is a durable floorcovering with pearlescent chips in co-ordinating colourways; Safetred Aqua incorporates cork particles for exceptional slip resistance in wet areas and Universal, an extra tough floorcovering for use in corridors, ramps and kitchens.
The Amtico Company introduced Stratica a new range of resilient flooring tiles. The tiles have a new surface wear layer called Surlyn, which the makers claim have never been used this extensively in flooring before. This means that Stratica is stain resistant, tough, will not yellow with age or heat, needs no dressing, easy to maintain and is environmentally responsible. As well as granites, marbles, terrazzos and natura stone designs, the range features solid colours. Surface textures include a wood grain and a special matt finish. The tiles are in a larger standard size to meet the needs for larger public flooring areas.
Making its debut at Hotelympia, on the Panaz stand was the Panaz Polar Fleece a flame retardant Trevira CS fleece fabric, which can be used for bedspreads and throws.
Also new is the Freespace Collection the first in the Art brand series - designs commissioned from well-known artists and designers. The collection comprises four co-ordinating flame retardant weaves. Inspired by the luxury of raw silk, linen and rich chenille, it includes fabrics for upholstery, drapes and accessories, in seven colourways.
Fort James introduced two new colours in its range of napkins - burnt orange and terracotta. According to research, these colours convey positive food connotations and are suitable for venues that need to create a warm, earthy eating environment.
Apollo Alpha table linen launched on the Hilden stand combines the economy and practicality of polyester with a soft, natural feel like cotton. It is a hard wearing, long lasting, low shrinkage material with excellent stain release and colour retention qualities. Also new is the Speciality Cuisine table linen range aimed at the Chinese restaurant market. Rich shades of red and gold have been created for the new linens, in a polyester fabric, which complement the company's existing Apollo table linen range.
At the show, Plastico launched the new Clarity range of glasses made from toughened polymers, which ensures that they remain safe and durable. Other features include tapered ribs for scratchfree stacking and a raised step in the base for screen printing in up to ten colours. The portfolio comprises Tulip, a pint glass for lagers, bitters and stout; Hi-ball, a half pint suitable for beers and ciders as well as mixed drinks and cocktails and Wine Glass, a one piece product lined at either 125cl or 175cl.
The Legacy range part of the Occasionware collection, offers disposable plates, tumblers and stemware moulded in classic starburst and fleur-de-lys motifs that will enhance a table setting.
The collection includes the Prestige range with a bistro fluted finish in a variety of colours, while Scrollware with its baroque scoring, offers two clear round trays which will create an elegant background for food displays, especially at buffets.
An extensive range of porcelain whiteware was on view at the Chomette stand as it is the UK importer for Pillivuyt from France; Langenthal from Switzerland and Lilien from Austria. All the porcelain ranges combine strength with delicate design and are freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher proof. The porcelain can be transferred from the freezer to the oven safely without fear of the cookware shattering from the change in temperature.
Franklite presented its new Fantasy range an ornate decorative suite of light fittings in three and five light pendants, a three light semi-flush ceiling fixture and matching two light wall bracket. The range features faceted crystal style droplets and incorporates an intricate leaf and flower design, finished in brushed gold ironwork.
Two new fun and quirky Pint Glasses were introduced by Demaglass at the exhibition - one featuring the "killer" drinking game and the second promoting a Larger Lager. Also in the novelty beer range is the Half Time, Full Time, Eastra Time, All the Time glass and the Mine's Pint glass.
Also new is Hot Shots a new range of shot glasses. The base of the shot glass reacts under ultra-violet light and glows fluorescent pink or yellow!
Looking for a French or Italian theme? Big Ben can point the way with authentic French street signs, advertising memorabilia and posters. The new catalogue contains hundreds of items from American hat boxes and suitcases, automobilia to memorabilia.
How to banish unpleasant odours from the toilets? Ventalu has introduced a new toilet odour extraction system. It draws the smells through a specially designed seat and hinge mechanism.
Get your message across by having the name of your restaurant or establishment printed on the table cloth, as shown by Tablekraft.
