Member of the Month: Muraspec Wallcoverings
Spring has sprung, skies are turning blue and we introduce you to April’s Member of the Month, Muraspec Wallcoverings. Celebrating 170 years of manufacturing in 2022, we spoke with Michelle Martin, Product Marketing Manager, about its UK heritage, some behind the scenes from their designer collaborations, and what we can expect from Muraspec this year.
[Find Muraspec on the BCFA Product Finder]
Can you tell us about Muraspec Wallcoverings and a bit about your role within the company.
Muraspec is a UK manufacturer and global distributor of wallcoverings. This year we celebrate 170 years of manufacturing excellence.
We design, manufacture, and supply high quality fire rated contract wallcoverings from our facility in Kent for many prominent brands including Ted Baker. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service, shorter lead times, designing and manufacturing bespoke wallcoverings with shorter run lengths. We have one of the largest and versatile digital wallcovering printing facilities. We continuously launch exciting new and innovative designs complementing our vast inventory of colourful and textured wallcoverings. Our products can be seen in the most prestigious hotels, offices, cruise ships and numerous other commercial and residential settings around the world.
I joined the team back in July last year as Product Marketing Manager. After visiting the manufacturing plant, I felt instantly connected with the brand and its story spanning six generations. Seeing the traditional processes alongside state-of-the-art digital methods; a mix of the old and the new, was a truly remarkable experience. Factory tours are a popular request from new onboarding partnerships, which always receive fantastic feedback. I’ve always been passionate about delivering fantastic customer experiences and value.
At Muraspec, I get the opportunity to meet with customers, gather feedback, conduct extensive research, and feeding back insights to the team. Collaborating with technical, design and sales teams, I play a part in ensuring key products are developed and brought to the right markets with the right message.
Have you always manufactured in the UK?
Our wallcoverings are made in Britain and sold to the world through our vast distribution network.
We have a rich heritage which dates back to 1852. As we mark our 170th anniversary of British manufacturing excellence, we reflect upon our incredible journey of innovation. You can read our story here.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the new Mulberry Silk and Shimmer designs that have just launched?
The inspiration for Mulberry Silk came from our desire to create more nature inspired and biophilic patterns rich in colour and texture for a luxurious yet dramatic impact.
As we exit the global pandemic and cut through the red tape of social distanced clinical interiors with countless ‘touch-free’ zones, we welcome back tactility, warmth, and wellbeing. All of which rank high and offer comfort, in hospitality, workplace, and care home design.
Meaningful design is achieved engaging all senses. Our latest silk inspired wallcovering is irresistibly tactile and possesses all the eye-catching qualities one would expect of a real silk, achieving a natural characteristic panelled effect once installed.
Our new Shimmer design boasts a deep textile woven emboss that catches the light and reflects a subtle shimmer, creating a perfect backdrop for any interior.
Shimmer joins our extensive range of classic textile and grasscloth wallcovering designs such as Segment Linen, Orissa, Julienne and Everglades.
So, you’re launching new Ted Baker collections this year. What was it like to work with the Ted Baker brand?
It’s been a fantastic partnership collaborating on five wallcovering collections with three produced from concept to creation entirely remotely due to the pandemic.
We’re excited to collaborate and manufacture for a world class brand, launching another two collections this year, each crafted in a selection of luxe finishes and textures.
This month we are launching Ted Baker’s luxurious Botanics Collection. A contemporary interpretation of British florals, with inspiration plucked deep from the Ted Baker archive.
There are nine beautiful reimagined floral designs in Botanics, Forager and Tranquility, delicately printed onto silk and linen textured finishes in an array of delightful and vibrant hues.
Each design within the collection exudes a sense of optimism and a reconnection with nature.
What steps have Muraspec taken to address sustainability?
At Muraspec, we are committed to improving our performance to build a more sustainable tomorrow. This is more than a statement of commitment. It’s a call to action.
We were the very first wallcovering manufacturer to have its products assessed by BRE Global and have had Environmental Product Declaration’s (EPD) available since 2012. We’ve further enhanced our EPD credentials through participation in an industry-wide life cycle assessment resulting in EPD’s published by IGI– the global wallcoverings association.
Whilst we recycle pre-consumer waste vinyl at our premises, our finished wallcoverings have a lifespan more than 20 years, meaning their durability and commercial grade quality make for a ‘fit and forget’ solution.
You can read our Sustainability Statement here.
What would be important to consider when supplying to the marine sector?
The utmost important factor is fire rating set by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation). A wide range of our wallcoverings and door finishes have all been tested and certified to the highest industry flame retardant safety standards.
Quality and reliability are important factors since faulty products are very difficult to resolve and can be costly when the project is on the Sea.
We have supplied to the marine sector for more than 40 years. As a trusted brand, we are proud to have worked with some of the industry’s biggest names.
Our brand new Strataflex brochure featuring new marine product designs in now available. Request a copy via email at: marine@muraspec.com
What’s next for Muraspec?
Our production and technological capabilities enable us to continue to innovate, develop and enrichen our design offering.
We have some exciting new ‘on trend’ embosses on the roadmap as we tap into our archived heritage of chic and timeless patterns, breathing new life into some vintage-inspired classics, whilst celebrating our traditional craftsmanship spanning six generations.
We are committed to using recycled materials and reducing energy consumption with our inhouse state-of-the-art machines, harvesting sustainable designs of exceptional quality.
Contact Muraspec through the BCFA Product Finder.
The BCFA Product Finder is a unique search engine created especially for interior designers to source contract furnishing companies. Utilising this platform will support your findings for upcoming projects, with over 200 members profiles showcasing the latest product launches, new materials available, industry news and design trends.