Parador launches dedicated professional platform

Global flooring design brand Parador has launched a tradefocused digital platform designed for architects, interior designers and contractors.

The new professional portal offers trade partners:

  • Exclusive trade resources, including technical data sheets, installation guides and product certifications
  • Personalised account management, enabling trade professionals to track orders and manage projects efficiently
  • Product insights, with an in-depth look at Parador’s flooring solutions, from the high-performance Vinyl to its eco-friendly Modular One flooring
  • Direct support access, ensuring professionals can connect with Parador for tailored advice and project assistance.

Parador said the digital investment reinforces its strategic focus on commercial and contract sectors, and is a response to increasing demand for its flooring solutions.

‘Our new professional platform represents more than just a website enhancement – it’s the digital cornerstone of our commitment to trade excellence,’ said Parador CEO Neel Bradham.

‘By creating a dedicated digital environment that addresses the specific needs of our professional partners, we’re enabling seamless collaboration and empowering exceptional project outcomes.’

The digital platform launches with support for Parador’s complete product portfolio, including the sustainable Modular One solution, high-performance Engineered Wood offering, and its Vinyl collections, engineered for demanding commercial environments.

Founded in 1977, Parador is a global leader in high-quality flooring solutions, specialising in engineered wood, laminate, and resilient flooring. www.parador.de /en

Laminam UK appoints new area manager for South East

Laminam, the Italian manufacturer of sustainable, large format porcelain surfaces, has announced the appointment of Hazel Blake as area manager for the South- East of England. With two decades of experience in the kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms industry, she joins Laminam to support its continued growth across the region and will be responsible for supporting fabricators and retailers. Throughout her career, Blake has managed more than 400 customer accounts, from national retailers to independent showrooms and fabricators, developing strong, longlasting partnerships. www.laminam.com /gbr/en

Ghidini1961 launches new wool rug

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the partnership between Italian furniture company Ghidini1961 and Dutch designer Richard Hutten. In this time the pair have collaborated on more than 20 designs, with April’s Salone 2025 seeing more new products arrive, including the Dune indoor rug, which is described as ‘an elegant and trendy rug, elevating every space’. Made of 100% New Zealand wool and handknotted, the rug is said to combine a rich feeling with a lasting quality. www.ghidini1961.com

Interface continues on carbon negative by 2040 path

Interface has announced that its carpet tile manufacturing processes in the US and Europe will now use raw material made with captured carbon. ‘We’re sourcing the same trusted material that has been part of our carpet tile “secret sauce” for years – only now, it’s made using captured carbon,’ said global innovation and sustainability projects director Luca Achill. It replaces the original material, Achill added, so there is no need to incorporate process changes, meaning ‘the products perform the same while locking carbon away in a closed loop, keeping it out of the atmosphere’. www.interface.com /sustainability

RAK Ceramics Design Hub inaugurated in Milan

RAK Ceramics inaugurated the RAK Ceramics Design Hub, located in the heart of Milan, during the city’s Design Week in April.

The 400m2 space, designed by MMA Projects and fruit of an investment of more than €1m, aims to become the new go-to supplier for designers and contractors in search of a global partner able to offer complete and integrated lifestyle solutions, comprising surface coverings, sanitary ware, bathroom furnishings, tapware and tableware in porcelain.

The RAK Ceramics Design Hub of Milan – the fourth international outlet following Dubai, London, and Frankfurt – plays a key role in the strategy implemented by the group

The Design Hub offers an overview of the group and its brands, including RAK Ceramics, which supplies floor coverings and porcelain stoneware, large-size slabs, and a collection of sanitary ware and bathroom furnishings; Kludi, a bathroom and kitchen tapware brand; and RAK Porcelain, a collection of ceramic tableware.

The Hub has been conceived as an immersive and dynamic space, created in such a way as ‘to inspire designers with evocative environments and accompany them through an unprecedented offering of products, materials, and technological innovations’. Each section of the design hub recounts different lifestyle solutions and supplies architects, interior designers and contractors with support throughout the design process, for all interiors and all types of projects, ranging from residential to hospitality.

It is located within a 1930s building at Via Borgogna 8.

‘It is with great enthusiasm that we bring the energy, experience and innovative spirit of RAK Ceramics to the heart of such a lively and dynamic city as Milan,’ said Abdallah Massaad, CEO of RAK Ceramics. The opening of our RAK Ceramics Hub represents a milestone in the story of our group and an important statement regarding the course we intend to take, that of becoming a go-to name in the design world.

‘We address designers as a lifestyle solution provider, thanks to our complete and integrated product offering and global distribution: a promise that is reflected in the spaces of the new Design Hub in Milan.’ www.rakceramics.com /uk/en

Fareham mayor unveils £200,000 office refurbishment

A £200,000 refurbishment of a landmark office building on the outskirts of Fareham has been unveiled by the town’s mayor in a special opening ceremony.

The Number 25 building, in Barnes Wallis Road, was relaunched by mayor Cllr Pal Hayre with a ceremonial cutting of a ribbon across the entrance. The ground floor renovation expanded social and collaboration areas and refreshed the reception with bespoke furniture and wall coverings, aiming to create a luxurious atmosphere throughout the centre. The building is part of the Arena Offices property portfolio, which includes 11 locations across Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey and Berkshire.

“At Arena, we understand the importance of continually investing in our clients’ workspace,’ said Mary Stevens, operations manager of Arena Offices. ‘We worked with our in-house design team, Enenco, and Holmes Interiors to bring this vision to life and create a workspace that truly supports productivity and well-being.’

Stevens added that she was ‘thrilled’ to provide clients with an improved workspace: ‘The reopening of Number 25 is a proud moment for us at Arena Offices.

‘We’re thrilled to provide a revitalised space that meets the needs of modern businesses, especially post-pandemic.’ www.arenaoffices.com /offices/farehamnumber- 25

Name change for Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi

Interior design firm Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi is celebrating 60 years in business with a change of name. The company was first established by David Mlinaric, and was joined in 1969 by Hugh Henry, with whom the studio still collaborates. Tino Zervudachi joined in the 1980s, when Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi was formed. The studio has now become Zervudachi, Roberts & Macadam to reflect the current partnership of Zervudachi, Jason Roberts, who joined in 1989, and Laurence Macadam, who joined in 1995. www.zervudachiinteriordesign.com