"dining"

Whisking food, drink and tableware between the ground-floor dining room and lower-ground kitchen, a dumbwaiter makes life so much easier for everyone in The Charm, a plush 19th-century boutique hotel in Brighton's Kemptown. Not only does it improve service for patrons, it also protects personnel from the pressures of manual handling.

One of Sydney’s leading suburban hotels. The Royal Hotel Randwick is a historic building that was built by Thomas Browne in 1887 to serve the growing settlement, and which has now been heritage-listed by the National Trust of Australia.Fumed Oak from our Signature collection was used throughout the dining area in a Herringbone Plank laying pattern.

The design team behind this central student hub at De Monfort University, Leicester, had a long list of requirements to enhance each area. This substantial renovation delivers facilities for shopping, dining and socialising, all of which showcase eye-catching designs and meet the demands of heavy student footfall thanks to a wide range of Polyflor flooring solutions.

The outdoor shelters have been a hit with the community at Carmel College; the new facilities have eased the pressure and crowding inside the buildings at break times so everyone has more room to relax and dine. The steel benches were a welcome addition too, and the staff love how they match the canopies with their unobtrusive, grey colour palette.

Lorient’s high-performance TS fire, smoke and acoustic door seals have been acquired for use on the Claridge’s Hotel doors. Since the 1850s, Claridge’s has excelled at the finer things in life: glamorous design, inspiring dining and impeccable service - so only the best is good enough.We are delighted to be specified for this prestigious 5-star luxury hotel.

Four Formica® Laminates from the Formica® Collection transform a residential kitchen project with bespoke carpentry. Laminate was chosen to create kitchen doors, shelves, worktops and even an accessible spice rack and a matching dining table. All decors chosen featured a Matte58 finish offering a smooth texture that provides low-level light reflection and minimal maintenance for the owner. 

At Broxap we work with our regeneration and development clients to design street furniture which realises the aims of their masterplan. We worked with our client to create a series of seating and outdoor dining furniture options for a number of residential areas. The resulting range of seating incorporates inclusive design features as well as modern picnic tables located in shared outdoor living spaces.

Gradus has supplied and fitted a range of wall protection solutions as part of the £16m newly built Bitterne Park School in Southampton. The new school includes 80 new teaching classrooms, a purpose-built assembly hall/theatre, a new dining space with a fully fitted kitchen and purpose built fully fitted classrooms to house the students as part of their Food and Nutrition studies.

In 2020, a significant milestone was reached when the CEO of Bluestone National Park Resort obtained the necessary approvals to undertake the restoration of Blackpool Mill, an exquisite Georgian property boasting a rich history spanning 210 years. The restoration endeavour amounted to a substantial investment of £3 million, allocated towards the preservation, comprehensive restoration, and grand revitalisation of this historic gem.How we helpedFast forward to October 2022, Towelrads received a communication inquiring about the availability of a product matching the aesthetic of a 19th Century mill that had recently undergone an extensive renovation. Immediately we introduced them to our Windsor Column radiators that perfectly complemented the buildings aesthetics. Within the same month the creation of design concepts that incorporated our Windsor Column radiators were pieced together, coupled with column feet and Brushed Nickel Manual Angled Valves.Capitalising on our diverse palette of RAL colours, a decision was made to employ three distinct shades, each tailored to a specific area. The main restaurant and restrooms were adorned with the our Anthracite RAL 7016, while the Private Dining room, aptly named the River Room, exuded a captivating Pigeon Blue RAL 5014. The Miller Study Private Dining area, on the other hand, showcased the sophisticated Chocolate Brown RAL 8017 Gloss, effectively enveloping each space in a unique ambiance.Standing as an architectural marvel, this venue now boasts a state-of-the-art kitchen, two dedicated floors for guest dining, an elevated banqueting section, and exclusive private function rooms. Since opening its doors, it has become the talk of the town, attracting a deluge of inquiries. Our role in this endeavour fills us with immense pride, as we contributed to a project of profound significance to the local community, actively participating in the preservation of a cherished piece of history.

The Wall Pockets have been a fantastic addition to this village school. With a small hall and limited space, the Wall Pockets allow the school to easily transform the space into a versatile area for learning and a space for dining according to their needs.Westcountry Group installed three single customised Wall Pocket dining systems in their multi-use hall, delivering seating for up to 60 students.The school chose a unique colour for the Wall Pocket case to match the school’s colour scheme. The clean, professional, and modern look of these tables really sets this hall apart from other schools in the area, making many quite envious!“We are now able to easily seat our whole school for mealtimes, and the children seem to respect and take greater care over them because they are so smart. This has transformed our lunchtimes and learning, giving our whole school community a real sense of pride in the Wall Pockets and school. The installation process was simple, clean, and efficient and staff have been incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, making the whole process of design, fitting, and user training very straightforward – even for a busy school team!”Ellie Watkins, Headteacher

Furnitubes' RailRoad design was the perfect choice for the roof-top of award-winning apartments Green Dragon House, with its modular design allowing seating and planters to be linked to create large structures that can be left freestanding, without the need to bolt down. The RailRoad products were complemented by the use of the Hollo range coffee tables, and a bespoke dining table with Hollo stools completed the suite of products supplied.

The Cube in Birmingham city centre is home to The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill which offers it’s customers an ultra modern 25th floor dining experience. Beplas played their part by supplying contemporary colours from their Elite Komadur PVC Sheets which still provide the ultimate in food hygiene for the kitchen. Beplas’s ethos of sensible prices goes hand in hand with the group’s affordable luxury.

IssueHutchesons’ Grammar School is a co-educational, independent school in the southside of Glasgow. Founded in 1641, the school has a long-held record of academic achievement and offers pupils an unrivalled choice of extra-curricular activities at its primary and secondary schools. The kitchen, serving area and coffee/dining hall ‘The Bistro’ were being modernised to bring the facilities up to date and in keeping with the school’s standards of excellence.ApproachAfter a visit with an Altro Specification Consultant and considering the need to keep project timescales as short as possible, the installation needed a quick to lay, robust solution for the floors. With a unique blue and grey colour scheme tying into the school’s brand and emblem, the floor design needed to match this.SolutionAltro Wood adhesive-free in colours Soft Maple and Vintage Oak were installed in the dining hall and kitchen servery, helping to reduce the installation time by 50%, quickly returning the area to use.Altro Ensemble was installed in the Coffee/Bistro area in a diagonal, mixed pattern of colours Greige Rustic Oak, Medium Grey Harmonious Oak, Barrel Oak and Tobacco Limed Striking Oak.Altro Stronghold in colour Monsoon was installed in the kitchen, providing safety from slips and comfort underfoot for the busy staff.

Continuing our relationship with Renaker Build Ltd and following specification from TPM Landscapes, Artform Urban Furniture have supplied a full range of standard and bespoke planters including seating elements to Deansgate Square apartment towers in Manchester. The apartment buildings; Elizabeth Tower and Victoria Residence, have roof terraces that have been designed to provide exclusive private outdoor seating and dining areas combined with plenty of plants and shrubs. 

Over 200 Optima windows and doors from Profile 22 were installed in an £11 million community hub in Leeds city centre.Westerton Walk in Leeds city centre is an extra care housing development comprising 63 one- and two-bedroom flats with care services, shared lounges and dining facilities. It has been built on a vacant Leeds City Council-owned site and has createda dynamic community hub.

Landscape architects can take inspiration from the completed works on The Oracle, a stunning public realm scheme in Reading. In 2017, a two-phase improvement plan was completed on the Riverside area of the site. The scheme features a unique design with the River Kennet running through the heart it. Home to several dining and entertainment businesses, the new landscape design has helped to enhance the appeal for tenants and customers alike, creating a premium and award-winning shopping destination.

The Aberdeen Altens Hotel is the perfect base for exploring the beautiful Scottish Highlands and east coast. Conveniently located just outside the city, this popular hotel also offers a well-equipped contemporary business and conference centre. Architect and design consultants ICA was appointed to design a flexible open plan restaurant and bar area that would reflect the beauty and history of the locality and offer a high quality dining experience for discerning hotel guests as well as local residents and businesses.

In the heart of Regent Street lies a hidden gem - Heddon Street, a vibrant hub bustling with fantastic bars and restaurants. Our latest installation of colourful planters has breathed new life into this thriving area, illuminating it with a burst of vibrant hues and the refreshing touch of nature. In collaboration with Landscape Architects Macgregor Smith and funded by the Crown Estate, this project has revitalised Heddon Street, creating an enchanting and captivating atmosphere for all to enjoy.FABRICATION AND DELIVERY OF CUSTOM PLANTERS The planters were fabricated, painted and filled with soil in our workshop in Sevenoaks. To minimise disruptions to the busy area, the planters were delivered to the site using a Hiab, a method chosen specifically for its efficiency and convenience. This careful logistical planning ensured a smooth installation process and minimised any disturbances to the street's vibrant atmosphere.PLANTING SELECTION AND SEASONAL VARIATIONSThe selection of plants was carefully curated to complement the vibrancy of the planters and create a captivating display throughout the seasons. Bright and blooming flowers were chosen to enhance the visual appeal during the summer months, infusing the street with an array of colours that delight the senses. Additionally, grasses were selected to provide visual interest and texture during the autumn and winter seasons, ensuring that Heddon Street remains captivating and engaging all year round.CREATING ENCHANTING OUTDOOR DINING AREAS THROUGH 'GREEN BOOTHS'The primary aim of this project was to create inviting and comfortable outdoor dining areas for the fantastic bars and restaurants that populate Heddon Street. To achieve this, the planters were strategically placed to create enclosed "green booths" where visitors can dine amidst the beauty of nature. These intimate and charming spaces offer a unique and immersive dining experience that sets Heddon Street apart from traditional outdoor dining settings. By harmoniously blending nature and culinary delights, visitors can enjoy their meals in a charming and refreshing atmosphere.THE POWER OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN ENHANCING URBAN SPACES WITH NATUREBiophilic design, which aims to integrate nature into our built environments, has been a key element in the revitalisation of Heddon Street. By integrating nature into the heart of the city, the colourful planters become a beacon of biophilic design, providing numerous benefits for businesses, residents, and visitors alike.BIOPHILIC DESIGN BENEFITS FOR BUSINESSESHere are a few key advantages:Enhanced Well-being and Productivity: Research shows that exposure to nature and natural elements can have a positive impact on people's well-being and productivity. Incorporating biophilic design in business spaces can reduce stress, boost mood, and increase overall job satisfaction among employees. Happier and healthier employees tend to be more productive and engaged, leading to improved business outcomes.Increased Customer Attraction and Retention: Biophilic design creates a welcoming and visually appealing atmosphere that can attract customers and keep them coming back. When businesses incorporate natural elements such as plants, water features, or natural lighting, it creates a more comfortable and enjoyable environment for customers. This positive experience can result in increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and ultimately, higher revenues.Environmental Sustainability and Responsibility: Embracing biophilic design demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability and responsibility. By incorporating natural elements and practices such as energy-efficient lighting, recycling, and sustainable materials, businesses can showcase their dedication to eco-consciousness. This can resonate with environmentally conscious consumers and stakeholders, enhancing the brand's reputation and attracting a broader customer base.Positive Brand Image and Differentiation: Businesses that adopt biophilic design can create a distinct and memorable brand image. By embracing the beauty and benefits of nature, companies can stand out in a crowded marketplace and differentiate themselves from competitors.

Poole high School is located in the heart of the sunny Dorset seaside town. A large school, they pride themselves on their successful pastoral system, reflecting the value they place upon the individual.Having worked with Poole High several times over the past decade, we were delighted to be approached once again to provide two bespoke, freestanding and wall attached shelters, to further extend their dining hall facilities into available space around the building. The finished project takes the form of a 22m x 10m Winterbourne Freestanding Shelter with a mixture of sub-surface and surface mounted posts, and 8m x 3m Winterbourne Wall Attached Shelter. Guttering and downpipes were also included so rain doesn’t cascade over the end of the shelter during rainy spells. To complement the school aesthetic and previous installations, Poole High School opted to have their new shelter galvanised and epoxy powder coated in Squirrel Grey RAL 7000. This surface treatment means the structure will be guaranteed to last 25 years, serving the school for many years to come. The roof is made from UV stabilised 16mm polycarbonate, to give a light and airy feel.Mark Sheldon, Estate Manager at Poole High School said: “After 3 previous successful shelter installations from NBB Outdoors, they were first choice for us when, towards the end of the 21-22 academic year, we explored the possibility of expanding our dining hall space by erecting a large canopy structure by the north entrance/exit, as well as a queue shelter by the west entrance/exit. NBB have been on hand to help and guide us through every step from initial quote to installation, and obligingly installed both structures during the summer holiday, causing as little disruption to school operations as possible and ensuring our new dining space is ready to go in time for our students to return. The school is delighted with the high standard of workmanship, as we’ve come to expect, and are sure our students will enjoy the space for many, many years to come!”.

Dynamic interior spaces created for flagship care homeIssue Quantum Care were launching their flagship care home, Mantles Court, and wanted an interior design that created a warm, welcoming and comfortable space. Quantum Care asked WHAT IF? Designs to create the interior spaces with a non-clinical feel, making the state of the art, 78-bed care facility feel like a home-from-home for residents. Approach WHAT IF? Designs looked at the flow of resident living spaces and the needs for each area. Communal spaces including lounges, dining and kitchen areas required floors that were easy to clean, looked fantastic and provided safety from slips. For the ensuite bathrooms, a softer, neutral coloured floor with slip resistance for both staff and residents was needed, while bedrooms called for a more homely, domestic feel, with comfort under foot as a priority. Solution Altro Wood was chosen for the dining room, bedrooms and the hair salon for its natural, homely, good looks. Altro Aquarius and Altro Pisces, with their wide colour palette and lifetime sustained slip resistance, were selected for the ensuite bathrooms, providing safety for shoe and barefoot users. And in the communal areas, Altro Ensemble was chosen for its flexibility and design choices as well as its noise reduction and comfort underfoot.

THE BRIEFBespoke manufacturer and installerLangley Design were chosen by Willmott Dixon to lead the way on the multimillion pound Landmark building at Hans Price Academy. This was part of a wider £14 million renovation project at the college in Weston-super-Mare.Willmott Dixon needed a bespoke manufacturer and installer who knew what they were doing and who could offer a product and service that far exceeded expectations. WHAT WE DIDOutdoor timber canopyLangley Design's bespoke manufacturing capabilities enabled an L shaped timber canopy to be made which spans the length of the buildings. These canopies offer the end user so many different options such as outdoor dining, general student socialising, teaching and now even social distancing (a word not even in our vocabulary when these were installed).THE RESULTExterior picnic tablesWe also provided some further products from our Sheldon range, these included picnic tables and benches for the children to use for the social and dining activities listed as a benefit of the canopy.We also provided our galvanised and powder coated litter bins here to finish the external areas off.Our prompt and efficient installation team also enabled Willmott Dixon to complete the project nine weeks early.

Bow School is a £30m campus in Tower Hamlets - an area with one of the fastest growing school populations in the country. Located close to the Blackwall Tunnel, the site suffered from air and noise pollution. It was also subject to a 20% budget cut at a late stage in the design phase. The new school campus accommodates 1,600 pupils in a state of the art building which includes rooftop sports pitches, a fitness studio, theatre, dining pavilion, open classrooms and areas of open circulation

A London family asked Somner MacDonald to help them reimagine the rear of their house for the next generation. In response, the team designed a new extension that connects seamlessly with the main body of the house and flows through to the garden, giving the family a unique kitchen and dining space.Both client and architect were familiar with Russwood flooring, having used it in their previous projects. In this instance, Somner Macdonald specified Pearl European Oak flooring in Prime grade, to complement the simple, calming and assured spaces created by their design. 

Architect: Harvey Norman Architects. Having returned home after years of working abroad the owners of this 1970s house chose to extend the property to make better use of the internal space and to breakdown the divide between the house and the garden. The design centred on a single storey pitched roof extension with large IDSystems' theEDGE2.0 sliding doors and fixed frame gable end glazing that transformed the layout of the home, creating a large open plan living space that included a kitchen, dining and lounge space.

The Wraptite external air barrier system from the A. Proctor Group has been chosen for its high performance airtight insulation for a new home for young people in Dundee, Scotland.The new £3m single-storey building will be a home for some of the most vulnerable young people in the city where they can grow up in a supportive and caring setting. The project design includes en-suite bedrooms, shared living space, dining, kitchen, and activities facilities, and accommodation for staff.

London's leading workplace caterer, The Good Eating company, has opened its first commercial Cafe in the city. Requiring an interior design that reflects its core values, the sophisticated charm of Forbo Flooring Systems' Allura Flex Wood luxury vinyl tiles, along with its ease of installation and maintenance, has helped to complement the stylish and relaxing dining environment. Giovanni Insalaco, Managing Director at Nova Design, commented: "The Good Eating Company has a history of over 20 years, and it was important that who they are, what they do and what they represent as a business was reflected in the restaurant. While it's called "Café GEC", it is in fact a restaurant, offering a bistro-style menu in relaxed and stylish dining environment to suit the vibrant area aroung Lower Thames Street. "I chose Forbo's Allura Flex LVT planks in the Grey Autumn Oak shade for its ability to replicate the look and feel of natural wood. By specifically opting for a herringbone installation, this helped to add dimension to the space and bring the floor to life. This has worked really well in contrast with the plain counter and solid coloured furniture in the restaurant. Having never used Forbo's products before, it really has been a game changer both in terms of design and ease of installation. We've had lot's of questions about what the floor is and received plenty of compliments - it's fantastic."

Saffron Walden County High School is an outstanding academy with over 2100 students on roll. Having already installed a large canopy in 2016 to provide a covered area for students to eat, increasing student numbers put increasing pressure on the existing catering facilities and by 2018 the school were desperate for additional dining capacity.Attention turned to the school’s derelict open-air swimming pool – a dangerous and unattractive area located between the sports hall and tennis courts. Archer Building Consultancy, a long-term provider of the premises services to the trust, proposed and delivered a scheme which involved emptying and removing the swimming pool along with the associated buildings and equipment, filling and levelling the area and installing a food pod and large covered seating area.Streetspace were contracted to design, manufacture and install a huge 25.0 x 15.0 m Triton Maxx clearspan polycarbonate roof canopy. With a symmetric form, the canopy provides covered seating for over 200 students as well as plenty of queuing space for the remote servery station. Integrated gutters and downpipes are connected to surface water drainage to help keep the area as dry as possible.A canopy of this size has many possible uses in addition to dining and social space – it could be used for assemblies, sports activities or as a parent waiting area, creating a truly multifunctional space. Windbreak cladding can be added as required in exposed locations to enable year-round use.

Park Regis Birmingham, part of the Stay Well hospitality Group, is a brand new upscale four-star luxury hotel with 253 well-appointed guest rooms in the heart of Birmingham's city centre on Broad Street. The hotel offers a modern and contemporary ambience with a boutique feel. Tibbatts Abel Interior Design specified Armourcoat polished plaster finishes for the front desk recessed logo wall and throughout the lobby and public areas of the hotel.Armourcoat finishes also feature within the Rofuto restaurant and bar located on the 16th floor of the hotel tower. This modern Japanese Izakaya-style concept features an incredible 200m2 Armourcoat polished plaster ceiling and finished columns throughout the venue. Rofuto is divided into two main areas; the dining lounge with a 360⁰ panoramic view of Birmingham, and the seven-metre long central dining bar featuring open kitchens and theatre Yakitori grill counter. An array of global projects for an impressive list of international blue chip clients in the residential, hospitality and boutique retail sectors have established Armourcoat as a leading supplier of high quality surface finishes. Armourcoat products are made from natural minerals including recycled Italian marble, contain low or zero VOCs, and have the added confidence of a full 10 year guarantee. Photography: ©Richard Kiely and Rofuto restaurant and bar

Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, Leadenhall Building is a 47 storey office building in the City of London which has affectionately been given the nickname ‘The Cheesegrater’ due to its distinctive tapered profile. The building is designed to protect the views of St Paul’s Cathedral from Fleet Street.As well as offering retail and dining facilities with modern, flexible office space the building sits atop sixteen inclined columns and braces leaving a seven storey landscaped open space at the base of the building, covering nearly half an acre.

Level 75, Top floor of landmark Pinnacle, Canary wharf. A great place to dine and watch the sun retreat behind the iconic London skyline. Products include the Raaft support structure, Floor structure panels, planters finished in a anthracite grey RAL 7016 and cantilever benches using Iroko timber. Real grass was incorporated amongst the Raaft system. Project construction completed by Valley landscapes for Chalgrove properties. Building design by foster and partners, landscape and terrace design by Farrer Huxley Associates.

Dormy Care’s aim was to create a luxurious and homely care environment that maximised the available space and outlook over the beautiful Welsh countryside and mountains. Offering a full spectrum of person-centred care; from dementia, nursing and palliative care to residential and respite, the 70 en-suite bedrooms and communal spaces, which include a coffee lounge, bar, cinema, gym, beauty salon, sitting and dining rooms all needed to be beautifully designed and provide finishes that are tailored and complementary to the ladies and gentlemen’s needs, enabling the best possible care.

Millbury Nursing Home is a purpose-built residential nursing home.The Development will consist of a new fully serviced single storey extension which will double the capacity taking it from 66 bedrooms to 132.The works consist of a new extension incorporating 66 single bedrooms with associated nursing accommodation, visitor accommodation, administration and staff areas, dining & living facilities & all associated accommodation to ground floor level with associated alterations to elevations. Being able to deliver this extension quickly and with minimal disruption to the current residents was of the upmost importance.

The Garden State Hotel is an iconic building in Melbourne. Accoya was chosen for a feature wall in the balcony dining room – a VIP space that looks out over the rest of the venue. Charred Accoya was used for the feature wall to add to the secluded and private feeling of the venue. The Accoya cladding was lined with a polyurethane finish. Other sections of the feature wall were finished with Woca internal maintenance oil. Accoya was also chosen due to its incredible finish and its ability to adapt to the unique and fresh looks offered by modern architecture.

Three Corners, Travelling Line and Ely Place from Milliken's enduring, carbon neutral Clerkenwell collection inject vibrance and dynamism into the workspace of this young, progressive tech firm. The dramatic angular forms and shifting blue tones of these three complementary designs create the perfect backdrop for the yellow furnishings and delivers excellent acoustic performance in the large open workspaces. Meeting and brainstorming rooms are defined in contrasting ochre and black/grey colourations. Earth Science LVT provides a hard-wearing, practical solution for the dining area.

Multi module Glass Link extends natural light throughout open plan living spaceA multi module Glass Link rooflight was chosen for an extension for a private residence located in a suburb of Newcastle Upon Tyne.The rooflight which is dual module, consists of a standard glass specification and overlooks an open plan kitchen dining area.Glass Link was selected due to its aesthetic appeal including its low profile exterior as well as its ability to extend daylight along the length of the kitchen area.

Hoxton Rooftop Garden in Underwood Street is a relatively quiet location within the sought-after district of Hoxton in central London, where younger residents are drawn to its eclectic, bohemian vibe. Number 31 is a six-story building with an additional roof terrace, exclusively for the use of sixth-floor occupiers Duncan Coombe and Linda Robson.To create a personalised space of creative lounging and dining areas that incorporated elements of nature to contrast with and complement the built environment. The Client turned to landscape architect Ula Maria for inspiration.