Well known for his role on BBC1’s High Street Dreams, Nick Munro is celebrated as one of Britain’s most original and innovative designers - and now he’s launching two new collections with Fired Earth.

The two new tile collections - Roman Mosaics and Welsh Mountain Slate are designed to be both beautiful and functional.

“I’m really excited about the new tile collections,” says Nick. “Welsh Slate is a great product. I love the Welsh mountains and I love the colours when the sun breaks through - the green meadows, crystal streams, blue skies - and, of course, the perfect blue-grey of the slate.

“It’s brilliant for wall and floor tiles as you can cut it very precisely and it doesn’t peel, making it safe to walk on.”

Nick and his wife, Ali - a textile designer - have also worked together to create a new mosaic collection for Fired Earth.

“When Fired Earth asked me to work with them on a new collection of hand made mosaic tiles, it gave me the perfect opportunity to work on a joint project with Ali, who is a brilliant textile designer.

The two of us looked at the original Fired Earth mosaics and we loved the craftsmanship and attention to detail of the Tunisian artisans, but decided that we could bring a new and more contemporary spirit to this ancient process.

We’ve created both geometric and figurative designs in an unusual colour palette of ochres, reds, greys and oranges.”

With Nick’s brilliant eye for design and instinctive understanding that Fired Earth wants to create spaces that are both beautiful and functional, these new collections are set to become design classics.

Roman Mosaics
Using an organic palette of Tunisian stone and marrying it with geometric patterns inspired by Roman baths and spas, the couple have achieved a new perspective on mosaic art.

Unique and evocative, as suggested by their names - Ludo, Maze, Lattice, Pyramid, Tartan and Rooftops - they can be used as details to add interest to a room, or using a whole panel to fundamentally change the space within which they are used.

Suitable for most purposes, looking equally stunning on walls and floors. Priced at £44.94 each. Pictured here is the lattice design.

To view the striking new Nick Munro tile collections please visit the Fired Fired Earth website.
Tel: (0845) 366 0400

For hot new colours at austerity-proof prices, Cormar Carpets brand new Apollo collection is out of this world!

Apollo is an easy to clean, stain resistant carpet that is available in a palette of fashionable new colours and well priced at £12-14 sq m, ideal for families setting up home or on a restricted budget.

An average size 4×5m room would cost less than £300 plus VAT to carpet - nearly half the price of a new iPad.

“This is a range which is appealing to the ‘new homes’ market, the ‘stain free’ market as well as being an ideal choice for bedrooms,” said David Cormack, marketing director of Cormar Carpets.

“And as colour returns to the home, and in particular to flooring, we have introduced some daring bold colours such as a vibrant red and jet black.”

In line with other products of the easy clean Primo family, Apollo is made from 100% Excellon polypropylene, is bleach cleanable and comes with a five year stain guarantee.

It is available in 4 and 5m widths and comes in a choice of 15 best selling plain and flecked shades.

Cormar Carpets are available nationwide and over one million customers choose Cormar Carpets every year.

About Cormar Carpets.

One of the success stories of the British carpet industry, Lancashire based Cormar Carpets was established in the North of England in 1956 and today ranks as one of the leading carpet manufacturers in the UK.

Throughout the last 50 years, it has placed great emphasis on quality, service and reliability. In fact, such is the esteem in which the company is held, that it has been voted ‘Floor Covering Supplier of the Year’ for the last five years, by readers of the flooring trade magazine, as well as winning many independent retailer awards.

For further information on the new ranges of Cormar carpets, or stockist details please visit the website.

Tel: (01204) 881234

For those homeowners looking for some fresh ideas and inspiration, as to how to rejuvenate a tired looking staircase, or want to cost effectively add some character to the heart of their home, then the Carpetrunners new online shopping website www.carpetrunners.co.uk is worth a visit.

Easy to use, packed full of great images of other people’s homes and useful blow-ups of the products featured, the website offers a wide selection of quality stair rods for runners and fitted carpets, door cover plates, rug and runner bindings and other innovative flooring accessories.

It also invites customers to send in pictures of their own homes, for other shoppers to appreciate, once they have installed their sparkling new stair rods and other flooring accessories.

For DIY enthusiasts, there are also practical design tips, which are regularly updated, and instructions on how to fit their own stair rods and door thresholds, or make their own carpet runners and rugs.

For a stylish choice of stair rods, rug and runner bindings visit the Carpetrunners website.

Tel: (01926) 885523.

Forbo Flooring, best known for the popular floorings Marmoleum, Novilon and Nairn Cushionflor, is introducing its two latest collections this summer; Enduro and Flotex.

Enduro featured here, is a completely new range of luxury vinyl tiles available in wood and stone effects in fifteen stunning natural shades. The collection ranges from classic designs providing a neutral blank canvas, to the latest up to the minute interior design:

• A distinctive look from the collection is Wenge, which recreates the look and feel of the dark tropical timber native to the Republic of Congo, now a protected species. Forbo’s realistic wood-effect flooring allows homeowners to get an ultra chic look along with a clear conscience.
• Other stunning natural wood effect designs include white washed oak, weathered pine, rich warm cherry and golden oak. Completing the collection are four stone effects; shimmering white slate, smooth black slate and industrial look concretes.
• An optional peel and stick laying process means no nails, power tools or glue are needed. As well as being easy to fit, Enduro is also ideal for first time DIY-ers.
  Just peel off the backing and place down on the floor; if you’re not happy, it can easily be peeled off and re-laid and best of all, after 30 minutes your floor should be ready to walk on!
• This cost effective collection is perfect for those looking for designer style without a hefty price tag. Prices start from £14.99 per m².

The existing Flotex collection has been completely revamped, to reflect modern living in the twenty-tens:

• The extensive collection features forty designs across four key ranges.
• This hybrid between carpet and vinyl, offers a unique set of benefits combined with a realistic finish in the wood and stone ranges, achieved through high definition printing techniques.
• With its carpet like feel and high acoustic value ensuring noise reduction, Flotex gives any room warmth and style. Its vinyl like durability also makes it suitable for high traffic areas of the house such as hallways and kitchens.
• This super-flooring is perfect for families, allergy sufferers or those with pets, as it has a British Allergy Foundation seal of approval. Flotex features a 20 year guarantee and prices start from £24.99 per m².

For more information and to view the new Enduro and Flotex collections,
visit the Forbo Flooring website.
Tel:   (0800) 731 2369

The Fired Earth summer sale runs from June 19 to July 17 and they are offering up to 25% off selected wall and floor tiles, kitchens and bathroom and even 50% off special purchase and discontinued tiles.

Kitchens

• Fired Earth’s kitchens are handcrafted from the highest quality, responsibly sourced materials and work well in contemporary and traditional spaces.
• Now is a great time to think about updating yours, as there’s 15% off all freestanding and fitted kitchens - including the new fitted Bastide (in our picture) and Moderne collections by Charles Smallbone - and rising to 25% off if you spend more than £10,000. (Offer excludes worktops and appliances for fitted kitchens.)

Tiles

• Fired Earth is well known for its collection of stunning wall and floor tiles and there’s never been a better time to buy them - with up to 25% off selected tiles from the hugely popular Tile Basics collection; in fact, you can now buy tiles from just 27p each, as the Architecture tiles have been reduced by 25%.

Bathrooms

• From truly chic wet rooms through to the most romantic bathrooms imaginable, Fired Earth has pieces to suit every taste. The summer sale offers savings of up to 25% off a huge range of products.
• For example there’s 25% off Bastide bathrooms, including the Washstand 1170 - reduced from £2,495 to £1,871.25.
• There’s also 25% off the Bastide dual control shower and accessories, which are reduced from £1,565 to £1,173.75.

Plus there’s also 15% off selected wood flooring, all Lloyd Loom furniture and hand-woven rugs.

For more information on sale products and prices, please visit the Fired Earth website.

Tel: (0845) 366 0400

In today’s chaotic world a sense of peace and harmony is more important than ever. Our environment has a considerable impact on how we think and feel and the right surroundings have the ability to help us relax, rest and refocus.

All these things enable us to be more productive, creative and improve our problem solving capabilities. So what better time than spring to freshen up a home or work environment.

A great way to create a naturally comfortable and serene environment is to get more in touch with nature.

With this in mind, here are a few tips on how to introduce a little of the outside, inside:

Plants
Not only do plants energise a bland room, they’re proven to help reduce stress and absorb toxins.
So why not harness the mood-boosting power of gardening and make the most of your indoor space with an indoor window herb garden.

Water
You may wonder how you can bring running water indoors, but there are some amazing minimalist indoor water fountains, which can be the perfect answer.

Not only will an indoor water feature be visually stunning, but also it is believed that water has natural healing properties.

Scents
With the ability to transform our emotions and heal our bodies, smell is one of the most powerful senses. So with this in mind you could introduce a little aromatherapy at work or home to soothe, uplift, energise, relax or even stimulate the body.

Real Wood
A real wood floor is one of the biggest natural statements you can make in a room and the warm, natural tones and texture of wood emulate the outdoors.

The variation in styles and colours of wood flooring is now greater than ever. Take a look at wood flooring from1926 Trading Co for some great examples at prices that won’t break the bank.

Featured here is their Karhs Wood Flooring (Kahrs Walnut Atlanta, City - American Naturals Collection).

Light
One of the great things about the outside is natural light and in the darker months of the year, you may find the lack of light is affecting your mood.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights are two great ways to encourage every beam of natural of light into a room. If you look out to a green space or garden, large windows will create the illusion that the outside is part of the inside.

So there you have it, five simple ways to bring a little more of the outside in and make indoors a more inspiring and positive environment.

Web: http://www.1926woodflooring.co.uk/

Leading tile manufacturer, CP Group, has unveiled the next generation of polished porcelain with the launch of its innovative Portia collection.

Featuring three different looks including Mono (single block colour) and Double Charged (where a combination of shades creates a subtle graining effect); the collection also showcases a unique new finish called Sandstorm.

Available exclusively in the UK from CP Group, Sandstorm, in our picture, combines different shades of porcelain to create dramatic sandstone-like patterns with a luxurious polished finish.

Long prized by interior designers for its light diffusing properties, polished porcelain provides an ever changing backdrop to a room over the course of the day, creating different looks and moods as natural daylight fades and is replaced by a contemporary lighting scheme.

While renowned for its aesthetic qualities, polished porcelain is also a practical solution for the modern home as it is very hardwearing.
As a result it is now to be found in rooms such as the bedroom, lounge and hallway, as well as more traditional locations such as the bathroom, kitchen or conservatory.

And, in recognition of consumers increasing desire to personalise their homes and create a truly bespoke look, the new Portia collection also includes a range of complementary borders and décors, which can be combined to create an exceptional end result:

• A selection of glass borders in both plain and iridescent finishes punctuate the sleek expanse with flashes of bold colour – including aubergine, this year’s hottest shade – or provide a subtle accent for a more muted colour scheme.

• Meanwhile, a range of décors made up of mosaic style strips of Sandstorm, can be used on the floor or wall, to create borders or even an entire feature wall.

The new Portia collection is available from leading independent retailers across the UK.

To view the new Portia collection and for details of your nearest stockist visit the CP Group website.

Tel: (01484) 727 147.

Meissen is launching a range of Architectural tiles; at the moment 40 different colours are available and they plan to have 60 different shades at a later date.

The technological origin of “Meissen® Architecture” is the world’s largest ceramic mural “Procession of Princes” in the city of Dresden, pictured here.

It was made in 1904-1907 and consists of 25.000 single elements juxtaposed with no fuge and exposed to weather and frost for over 100 years.

The MEISSEN® porcelain material used for MEISSEN® Architecture elements, has a prominent technological advantage compared to conventional industrial tiles and mosaic: it is 100% waterproof.

Therefore it is ideally suited for kitchens, bathrooms and spas – in private villas and commercial or corporate luxury environments.

Based on this technology MEISSEN® has now created a contemporary programme for architects, with different styles:

Minimalism, Royally opulent, Trends, Ornaments and refinement, Textures and Romanticism.

Visit the MEISSEN website to view this exciting new range of tiles.

Following in the footsteps of the best fashion designers, Fired Earth is adding a diffusion line to its collections.

First to arrive is the Tile Basics collection, which will include tiles starting at 36p each.

Bright and bold, tiles from the Collage range, take their inspiration from the Pop Art movement of the 1950s and 60s, when collage and painting were combined to construct new art forms that heralded the cultural transformation of Britain and America at the time.

• The colours that form the new Collage collection closely replicate those used by some of the key artists of the time.

• The new range is available in nine vibrant colours, including pink, yellow, orange and lime. This versatile collection has a beautiful gloss finish and includes pencils, as well as practical 15 x 15 cm tiles at £1.81 per tile (£79.62 per m2).

• The tiles are perfect to mix and match and are extremely versatile - great for anyone looking to make a colourful statement.

• Affordable chic: prices for tiles in Fired Earth’s new Collage collection start at just £1.81 per tile.

Fired Earth has 56 showrooms in the UK and Ireland.

Visit the Fired Earth website to view these exciting new tile ranges and to find your nearest showroom.

Tel: (0845) 366 0400

Fired Earth is broadening its reach and appeal by adding a diffusion line to its collections.

This begins with the launch of Tile Basics this month, which will carry tiles starting from just 36p each.

Tile Basics is designed to complement the existing Fired Earth range and add some new bolder colours, which can be mixed and matched.

Rob Whitaker, Creative Director of Fired Earth, said: “We wanted to add to the range so that customers could find something to suit every room and every purpose at the right price.
“For example, for a utility room people don’t necessarily want something hand-crafted, but they do still want something well designed, practical and fit for the purpose.

“We also wanted to attract new customers - perhaps those in their first home - wanting great design at an easily affordable price; essentially we’re offering quality you’d expect at prices you wouldn’t.”

Tile Basics will complement the existing Fired Earth collection, by introducing some exciting bold colours, such as the pink, orange and lime to be found in the Pop Art-inspired Collage range.

Colours and formats can be mixed and matched to create eye-catching schemes.

Offering everything from crisp slate flooring and beautifully designed wall tiles, to hard-wearing porcelain and rustic terracotta, Tile Basics includes tiles for every style of home at easily affordable prices. The diffusion line will continue with the Bathroom Basics collection.

The Architecture range in our picture, fuses classic elegance with clean, structural style; simple lines can create versatile designs, by using several sizes together in patterned combinations, or by mixing the gloss and matt finishes.

Fired Earth has 57 showrooms in the UK and Ireland.

Visit the Fired Earth website to view the new Tile Basics range.

Tel: (0845) 366 0400