Always on the lookout for a new interior finish in their design arsenal, commercial interior designers can have a challenging time creating a scheme that works for the client and ticks the budget box. Here, Scott Beattie, Managing Director at Fibo, explores how waterproof panels can deliver that high-end alternative to traditional tiling designers have been waiting for.

Hotels across the world face a challenging time. Re-opening to guests during a global pandemic means hotels must implement a plethora of hygiene measures. Check-in needs to be redesigned, space assessed to incorporate the latest social distancing guidelines, hand sanitisation has to be prioritised, screens erected. But as important as these practical steps are, especially for the more wary guest, hotels cannot lose sight of the customer experience, says Jake Mason, CEO and Founder of 0120.

There are many conflicting factors driving the choice of heating systems for householders, architects and designers. First and foremost is energy efficiency. All appliances must comply with the European Ecodesign 2022 emissions and energy efficiency standards, which will remain in place after Brexit, writes Niall Deiraniya, General Manager at DRU Fires UK.

Like all industries, the property sector is having to adapt and overcome a host of challenges laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the sector embraces a ‘new normal’, it’s more important than ever to ensure properties stand out, and capture the attention of prospective renters and buyers restarting their search for a new home, says Nicola McEwan, Head of Design (South) at LOFT.

Copper has seen a dramatic change from its historic place in roofing prestigious buildings to a thoroughly modern external skin for contemporary architecture. But its role as an interior surfacing material for homes and commercial building is growing as well, with a surprising diversity of natural colours, patterns and textures, says Graeme Bell, Nordic Copper Sales & Marketing Manager at Aurubis.

For high-end residential developments, a portfolio of recognised and coveted brands is a must. Right from early on in the purchasing journey when show homes are first visited, potential buyers are seeking out quality fixtures and fittings which evoke a premium feel while showcasing not just a look, but also a lifestyle to be desired. Surfaces play a vital role, holding the power to completely transform a room whether with a striking pattern or a more neutral design that pulls the rest of the room together – either way, adding a touch of quality and demonstrating high standards to discerning potential buyers, says Chris Hay, National Projects Manager at Cosentino UK.

Here, Sarah Morgan MSGD, Chair of the Society of Garden Designers, discusses the impact COVID-19 has had on the garden design industry.

Adding to London’s reputation as a world-leader in destination hospitality venues, the designers behind Flight Club commissioned Ellis Design Studio to reinvent the classic game, shuffleboard. Amron Architectural, a trusted supplier and manufacturer of metal mesh, was approached by Ellis Design Studio to help provide creative solutions across some of the main features within the beautifully designed space.

The COVID-19 lockdown has forced us to spend more time in our homes than ever before, and it’s no surprise that people are looking at their homes through a new lens, seeing details they never noticed before, and feeling a renewed sense of ambition to maximise their home’s design potential, says Lauren Maylor, Head of Design at LOFT.