Furniture suppliers you should know

CW staff , June 22nd, 2009

The pressure is on to create design solutions that are both innovative and, perhaps more importantly, cost-effective. On the one hand, competition is intensifying, forcing designers to come up with increasingly original design schemes.

On the other hand, budgets are shrinking, meaning that the specification process has to be more carefully considered than ever before.

As a result, the need to cultivate solid relationships with reliable suppliers has never been more acute. In a tough market, partners that you can trust are fundamental to success. Recognising this need, CID is introducing a series of features that will highlight key suppliers across a range of sectors.

These may be names that you already work with, that you haven’t heard of, or that you simply hadn’t considered for your specific needs. Each month we will be dealing with a different industry sector, and will kick off this month with furniture suppliers.

Furniture plays a fundamental role in injecting character into any commercial space but, fast paced and ever-evolving, tracking changes in trends is no easy task. Even in the midst of an economic crisis, last month’s Milan Furniture Fair saw a flurry of new product launches and pinpointed a series of new and exciting trends. Over the next few pages, we let a handful of suppliers introduce themselves to you, in the hope that they can help you stay ahead in the ever-changing world of furniture design.



Baituti Furniture

Company background: “Baituti, Dubai’s leading store, is a modern, state-of-the-art furniture shop housing leading European designer brands. As the name suggests, Baituti caters to those who love the finer things in life. It has set a new benchmark for quality and aesthetics in the UAE by retailing stylish, contemporary furniture, as well as offering customised, integrated interior design solutions to consumers.

Locations: Za’abeel Road, Karama, Dubai (04 334 4478).

Who to talk to: Johan Botha, Baituti Furniture’s general manager, or Arefeh Bashir, interior designer.

USPs: Baituti combines exquisite quality of materials, along with a knowledge and understanding of its customers.

Offering the best furniture coupled with impeccable service, Baituti is a problem solver for all your design needs.
 
Best seller: The Groundpiece Sofa from Flexform, designed by Antonio Citterio.

News: Baituti recently launched MDF Italia, displaying the Eleven Five Wall Panel system designed by Bruno Fattorini. Also on display are the S Table and the La Grande Table designed by Xavier Lust, and the Random Bookcase, which is designed by the studio Neuland Industriedesign.”


Selva Middle East

Company background: “Selva ME was established in Dubai in 2005, and can now be found across the GCC.

Parent company Selva SPa is a 41-year old company from Bolzano in the north of Italy. The name has been an emblem of the highest degree of creativity, unique variety and fantastic quality. Selva has developed into a furnishing brand with a worldwide reputation in retail sales and in the hotel sector. The broad and fascinating product line ranges from classically timeless creations all the way to modern forms.

Locations: Sheikh Zayed Road, Interchange 4, near Kia Motors. And Mall of the Emirates from mid July.

Who to talk to: Tanya Wakeham, manager.

USPs: All furniture is handmade in Italy.

Best seller: Solitaire collection. This has either Swarovski crystal, Mahogany Obsidian, Mother-of-Pearl or amber inlays stylishly placed on the outside of the items, as per the client’s preference.

News: Selva is proud to announce the exclusive unveiling of Philipp Selva Home. This is a spectacular new brand showing time-honoured Italian craftsmanship with fine hard woods such as cherry, walnut and designs with a makassar look, all with unique finishes. The three new collections are Tzsar, Opus 40 and Vogue.

In addition to these, selected existing lines such as Downtown, Platinum, Solitaire, Opera, and Heritage J.S. have also been incorporated under the Philipp Selva Home brand.”

Decoworld

Company background: “Decoworld was established in 2008 under the umbrella of Al Aqili Furnishings, the region’s leading flooring specialist and interior solutions giant. Decoworld is designed to offer the consumer a comprehensive range of interior and furnishing solutions, and houses over 40 of Al Aqili Furnishings’ exclusive international brands in one single destination. This provides clients with optimal convenience and unmatched consultancy.

Locations: Marina Promenade at Dubai Marina and the Pyramid in Oud Metha, Dubai. Decoworld is also present in the Shamiyah area in Kuwait and on Bustan Street in Qatar.

Who to talk to: Hengameh Mahvi, general manager of the furniture division at Al Aqili Furnishings. Mahvi is responsible for both the Decoworld and Francesco Molon showrooms.

USPs: An eclectic mix of contemporary, chic home furnishings, innovative lighting solutions, flooring, fabrics and stylishly understated accessories from over 40 international brands. Decoworld provides the full scope of interiors and decoration products and services.

Best sellers: Our living room and bedroom sets. Other favourites include wall-to-wall carpeting, laminate and wooden parquet, as well as window and wall coverings.



PF Emirates Interiors

Company background: “PF Emirates Interiors is a joint venture between Mubadala and the Poltrona Frau Group, representing the world-famous Poltrona Frau in the UAE. This is a collection of top names in Italian luxury design: Poltrona Frau, Cassina, Cappellini, Alias, Gebruder Thonet Vienna, Nemo and Gufram.

Locations: The Poltrona Frau Design Center, Al Sahel Towers, Tower A, Al Khalidiya, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, and Poltrona Frau Dubai, Waterview building, Port Saeed, Dubai.

Who to talk to: Ruggero Ottogalli, group brand manager (050 4545895); Marina Orlando, The Poltrona Frau Design Centre (02 635 9393); and Linda Teruzzi, Poltrona Frau Dubai (04 295 2180).

USPs: Through a detailed assessment of our client’s needs, and by combining our design expertise with the work of the talented craftsmen of the Poltrona Frau Group, PF Emirates is able to deliver what can only be described as ‘interiors of distinction’, combining design, function, quality and the best materials available. In addition to a standard catalogue of products, many of which are design icons, we are also able to turn any designer’s vision into reality.

Best seller: For over 100 years the companies of the Poltrona Frau Group have been making what have become true icons of furniture design. From the Adolf Loos Museum Café Chair in 1898 by Gebruder Thonet Vienna, to the Le Corbusier LC4 Chaise Longue in 1928 by Cassina, and from Tom Dixon’s S-Chair in 1991 by Cappellini, to the more modern classics such as the Kennedee Collection in 2006 by Jean Marie Massaud from Poltrona Frau. 

News: We have opened the Poltrona Frau Design Center, the world’s first and biggest Poltrona Frau Group showroom, in Abu Dhabi. Other news is the development and realisation of the new Etihad first-class seat.”

Perla Lichi Gallery

Company background: “The Perla Lichi Gallery will make its official debut in June and is located in a luxurious, 5,000ft², two-floor villa on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Road. The gallery is named for interior designer, Perla Lichi, who is also the author of three books: You Deserve Beautiful Rooms, You Too Deserve Beautiful Rooms and More Beautiful Rooms.

The gallery is home to imported furniture, chandeliers, accessories and creative stoneworks, as well as custom-area rugs, custom drapery treatments and many unique faux finishing techniques that work together to create the exquisite detailing that has become the designer’s hallmark. The design department is based in the US, where Lichi has gathered a team of specialists in various design disciplines.

Locations: 516 Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 3, Dubai.

Who to talk to: Ossama Salem, director of operations.

USPs: A one-stop shop offering solutions to any design dilemma, Perla Lichi Gallery offers custom-order furniture, custom draperies, custom flooring and custom stonework. Customers can come into the shop with their architectural plans to discuss their design requirements or they can simply come in and order furniture and accessories.

News: Also debuting in June, along with the Perla Lichi Gallery, is the 5th edition of Great Designers of the World, a coffee table book published by Bibliotheque Worldwide. Perla Lichi’s work is showcased on both the front and back covers of the book.”



Four Seasons Ramesh Gallery

Company background: “Founded in 1980, Four Seasons specialises in furnishing hotels and unique residences. We have furnished hotels such as Grosvenor House, Shangri-La, InterContinental and Park Hyatt Residences, to name a few.

Locations: We are present in two locations in Dubai: Mall of the Emirates and Zomorrodah Building, Zabeel Road.

Both showrooms are open from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week.

USPs: Four Seasons showcases very unique handcrafted products and offers all its clients a personalised service.

Best seller: We feature classic and contemporary furniture, artworks, accessories, rugs and lighting. Our best selling items are the lighting fixtures and lamps due to their unique design and remarkable quality. Four Seasons Ramesh Gallery is the sole dealer and distributor of Fine Art Lamps.

Who to talk to: Neel Shukla (050 6250386).

News: Four Seasons will change its Mall of the Emirates showroom to offer contemporary furniture, accessories
and lighting.”

2XL Furniture & Home Décor

Company background: “A world where elegant design combines effortlessly with comfort and support to bring a home furniture concept that is attractive and inspirational. At 2XL, we understand that our customer requires furniture that not only fits the physical dimensions of the room, but a complete solution that conveys a message about their lifestyle.”

Locations: Five showrooms across the UAE: Up Town Mirdif and Al Ghurair City in Dubai; Regus Building in Sharjah; Mina Center and Abu Dhabi Mall.

Who to talk to: Head office, Sharjah (06 5722888) or customer service (800-295).

USPs: The possibilities at 2XL are endless. Our furniture is made of different combinations of leather, wood, steel and a range of fabrics and finishes. Our accessories offer a personal touch. Take a tour of our spacious showrooms and see our wide range of lamps, thread curtains, satin sashes, fur throws and animal print accessories, which will give your space that stylish, modern, Italian touch.

Best seller: Our accessories are our best sellers. From napkin rings to vases to  decorative embellishments, we have it all.

News: The fashion this season is more bright and bountiful colours – whites, bright pinks, greens, orange, black, grey and purple, which is the hottest colour of the season. We offer these bright colours and, to balance them, we also have refined colours like black, grey and beige. We are now also stylishly introducing soothing, softer colours like whites, pinks and greens.”



Andreu World

Company background: “Started in 1955 by Francisco Andreu. Andreu World, through the manufacture of wooden furniture and, in recent years additional materials such as metal, poliurethane and polipropilene, and with a clear talent as an exporter, has come to occupy a prestigious position in the world of furniture design. Now, with almost 50 years’ experience in this important sector, Andreu World has a proven record of meeting daily demands to the satisfaction of a growing market that is calling for higher and higher levels of quality. 

Locations: With a base in Valencia, Spain, our products, directly or through our partners, can be found in prestigious projects in more than 60 countries. 
 
Who to talk to: Roberto García, sales area manager. 

USPs: Five years guarantee on all our products; product and forest certificates in FSC; ISO 14001: Environmental Management System Certificate; ISO 9001: Quality Management System Certificate; a rich variety of products, together with different possibilities of finishes; customised sizes for tables, and our outstanding design and quality.

Best seller: With hundreds of thousands of units sold, the families of seats, Manila, Lineal, Smile and some table collections such as Sistema SP or Dado, are some of our best selling collections.   

News: In line with our commitment to ecology, Andreu World only uses FSC-certified wood products. Andreu World, in collaboration with the certifying body SGS, is proud to be certified by FSC.

Andreu World has also developed a new division for outdoor furniture, which has been created out of a concern for sustainability and eco-friendliness. The ‘LandscapeOne’ collection is intended for a rational use of outdoor space, both in formal and in functional aspects.”