Tag Archives: carpet design

Meet Team Marine

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When it comes to building strong relationships with customers, Chris Colvin and Ciara Halligan are better equipped than most.

This experienced pair head up our Marine Division and both have a keen interest in the human mind and behaviour.

Before joining Ulster Carpets as part of our Graduate Programme, Chris completed a Psychology degree at Queen’s University while Ciara has a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Social Sciences, Social Policy and Sociology from the Open University.

This has helped them build relationships with our customers all over the world – an attribute that Ulster Carpets have built their success on over the years.

“We take great pride in building long term relationships,” explained Chris, who is Ulster’s Marine Sales Manager. “We work with people in a variety of different countries and while there may be cultural and language barriers, people still expect high standards of service and that is what we work hard to deliver.”

During his five years with the company, Chris has worked in procurement, marketing and in various sales roles, including in our London office. He feels this has given him a strong foundation for his current position.

“I have a clear understanding of what we can offer and how all our departments work together effectively to meet the needs of our customers. Every day we are set new challenges in terms of colour and design and it is satisfying when we’re able to meet them.

“The cruise industry is very competitive, with each cruise line looking to stand out. Our ability to produce stunning bespoke designs in a greater selection of colours is what sets us apart. We can create carpets that have a genuine wow factor but equally we can create designs that are more subtle. I think it is that ability to turn an aspirational concept into reality which makes the real difference.”

Like Chris, Ciara has worked across a range of different roles in her 26 years at Ulster and she holds the honour of being the company’s first female weaver to work on our innovative PSYLO™ looms.

“When I speak to a customer about what designs we can create and about the quality of our carpets, I am talking from the experience of having actually helped produce them,” said Ciara, who is our Marine Project Manager. “I know first hand the amazing capabilities of our patented weaving technology and what we can do that no other carpet manufacturer can.”

From the original enquiry through to organising delivery, Ciara’s role involves every step of the process.

“We are very customer focused and we take pride in what we do. You actually start to feel really connected to different cruise ships because of the work you have put in to help create these beautiful spaces and to help passengers enjoy their vacation. It is hugely rewarding building those relationships with interior designs and seeing ideas turn into reality.”

Take a look at some of the prestigious cruise projects that Ulster have worked on – https://ulstercarpets.com/contract/projects/marine/

natura | Infused by Nature

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Natura, our new carpet collection for the hospitality sector, is grounded on a theme that accentuates how we are connected to the intricacy of nature.

As the world reconnects with nature, our designers took the time to pause and take in the beauty surrounding them. These moments of quiet reflection provided the inspiration behind this stunning new collection.

Designed to meet the exacting needs of the hospitality industry, Natura encompasses 7 new designs in 24 different colourways that are suitable for a range of applications, including public areas, guest rooms, restaurants and corridors, amongst others.

Our new designs magnify the beauty of nature by focusing on the intimate detail of the elements around us. The outcome is a carefully curated collection that finds a perfect balance between impactful aesthetics and subtle beauty.

The new designs are:

Alder – The hushed hues of Alder radiate with the soft, meandering patterns found on the bark of a Birch tree. The four contemporary colourways – Yam, Ribe, Ornäs and Kelp – are tempered by a distressed aesthetic that creates an enchantingly subtle narrative.

Arcus – Imitating the turbulent nature of clouds that form at the edge of a thunderstorm, Arcus evokes the expectant nature of weather. Available in three colourways – Lumen, Storm and Electric – this is a design that delivers a clear sense of drama.

Esker – Available in four colourways – Sif, Thar, Rift and Azul – Esker takes its name from the long ridges deposited by meltwater from a retreating glacier. These flowing striations form an intimate pattern of serenity.

Moso – Influenced by the patterns of Moso, a type of bamboo native to China and Taiwan, this impactful design is available in three colourways – Char, Lint and Tansu. The layered, patina effect accentuates the organic aesthetics of nature.

Nahla – Reminiscent of the ripples left by rain droplets, Nahla means ‘first drink of water’. The Arabic and African origin of the word resonates within the three colourways – Unda, Bayou and Zale – to create a mesmerising creative statement.

 

Vita – Reflecting the complexity of molecular structures, Vita is Latin ‘for the course of one’s life’. With three colourways – Alpha, Helix and Origin – the layered linear elements create three-dimensional depth for an emboldened design.

Zen – The striking Zen designs encompass the new heights that can be reached when you are in a state of calm attentiveness. The four modern colourways, Inga, Moka, Yari and Mesa, elevate the transition of the textures to create a sense of energy.

As you can see, just like the natural world, there is also a balance to how we have combined these  new designs with the 24 colourways available. Earth’s strongest hues and hushed tones have been transformed into a contemporary colour palette and then intuitively paired with each new design to create maximum impact.

Visit our new Contract Stock section to find out more about Natura – https://ulstercarpets.com/contract/stock/ 

#inspireme | Midnight

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Influenced by the play of light and shadow at midnight, these eye-catching carpet designs are taken from our online gallery, Design Portal.

In terms of designs and colours, Design Portal offers an abundance of choice and a plethora of inspiration. Packed full of over 9,000 designs, this digital archive is easy to use, with designs collated into specific categories and collections.
You also have the option to search using either keywords or design numbers to help you find the right style for you.
All designs can also be recoloured to suit the project you are working on. Our virtual tuft box has both standard and neutral options, meaning you can recolour a design from a choice of over 650 colours.
Continually updated with designs created by our designs teams across the world, you can save your favourites for future reference or upload recoloured designs into your personal folder. You can also have access to any bespoke designs created for you by Ulster.
When the world’s leading interior designers say #inspireme Design Portal is the perfect place to start.
Log in now at https://designportal.ulstercarpets.com or, if you haven’t registered, email sue.farnell@ulstercarpets.com

1 Hotel South Beach

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As designers and manufacturers of wool rich bespoke carpets, we have always been in the business of creating sustainable products that enhance any space both in terms of aesthetics and quality.

As industry pioneers we continually review our processes to find more efficient and sustainable ways to manufacture luxury carpet, helping our clients to meet their own sustainable goals.

Wool is a rapidly renewable material as well as luxurious and versatile, at Ulster we use only the best wool sourced from Britain, Ireland & New Zealand. Wool fleece re-grows every 12 months providing a constant supply of high quality raw material. Naturally stain repellent, flame resistant, non combustible and easily cleaned, wool is both sustainable and a safe choice.

There are many health benefits from including wool within indoor spaces. Research shows that wool carpets effectively trap dust and allergens in its top layer. Its natural filtering effect makes it perfect for people with asthma or allergies. Naturally absorbing humidity and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a wool-rich carpet will provide a cleaner, more comfortable space to sit back, relax and breathe in.

Alongside the comfort of their guests, 1 Hotel is a brand whose focus, as with Ulster, is also on prioritising sustainability, environmental protection and community engagement. On their website, Barry Sternlicht their CEO & Chairman says

“I wanted to capture the beauty of nature in a hotel and commit to safeguarding it as best I can, a responsibility that I believe we all share. It’s 1 world. But 1 is more than a hotel – it’s a philosophy and a platform for change.”

Organic, raw, natural and reclaimed materials are therefore an important part of any design brief they develop. From using reclaimed driftwood as wall coverings, plant walls and green spaces to details such as ditching plastic key cards in favour of recycled wooden tags & providing hangers made from 100% post consumer waste.

Therefore commissioning bespoke wool rich carpets from Ulster for their 1 Hotel South Beach, Miami was an obvious choice. A retreat wholly inspired by its natural surroundings, namely the 600-feet of beach along the Atlantic Ocean, Ulster’s creative team took inspiration from these elements to create the texture and look of wood grain, echoing the driftwood and natural materials in the interior of the hotel. The bold yet calming pattern moves though the hotel pulling all the strands together of this sustainable & luxurious hotel.

As a company, Ulster were delighted to be part of 1 Hotel’s vision, where our beautifully crafted product plays a role in delivering a sustainable experience without compromising on quality or artistic flair.

Learn more about Ulster’s sustainable business | View the beautiful carpets they have designed and manufactured across the globe.

More information on 1 Hotel and their sustainable vision can be found at https://www.1hotels.com/about-us/our-story