Explore · Compare · Specify
59 current materials across 7 families, with explicit guidance on use, avoidance, environment, maintenance and technical approval.
A decision library for designers and buyers
Define the furniture item, its location and operating conditions, then review the material families, trade-offs and documents that must be approved before production.
Material reference
Open any material for the detailed specification, or add up to four materials to the technical comparison.
59 current materials
Organised across seven material families for direct review.
01 · 10 materials
Contract textiles for hotel seating, guestrooms, restaurants and outdoor furniture.
View specification Faux Leather
Sekers Capella Faux Leather68.5% PVC, 1.5% PU, 15% PES, 15% cotton; 250,000 Martindale
Best for
Intensive contract seating and food-and-beverage banquettes
Named supplier reference · current issue must be confirmed
View specification Velvet
Osborne & Little Ariadne Velvet55% viscose, 45% cotton; premium hospitality velvet
Best for
Feature chairs, guestrooms and controlled luxury public areas
Named supplier reference · current issue must be confirmed
View specification Polyurethane Upholstery
P Kaufmann Epiphany Polyurethane100% polyurethane face; commercial contract upholstery
Best for
Tailored commercial seating requiring a consistent leather-like surface
Named supplier reference · current issue must be confirmed
View specification Woven Fabric
Casamance Reve de Burchell Woven53% viscose, 34% cotton, 13% polyester; premium woven texture
Best for
Contract seating, banquettes and upholstered panels
Named supplier reference · current issue must be confirmed
View specification Bouclé
Ivory Bouclé Upholstery72% polyester, 28% cotton; textured loop weave
Best for
Contract seating, banquettes and upholstered panels
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Linen
Natural Linen Upholstery100% linen reference; enzyme-washed soft handle
Best for
Low-traffic residential and guestroom accents with a relaxed natural appearance
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Chenille
Graphite Chenille Upholstery100% polyester; 60,000 Martindale project reference; FR treated
Best for
Contract seating, banquettes and upholstered panels
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Outdoor Fabric
Solution-Dyed Outdoor Fabric100% solution-dyed acrylic reference; UV, water and mould resistant
Best for
Pool decks, terraces, beach clubs and exposed resort seating
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Performance Woven Fabric
Contract Polyester WeaveSolution-dyed or piece-dyed polyester; high-traffic woven upholstery selected by verified tests
Best for
High-turnover guestrooms, restaurants, banquettes and public-area seating
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Wool-Blend Contract Fabric
Wool-Blend Upholstery FabricWool-rich woven upholstery; resilient matte handle with composition and FR route declared
Best for
Refined lounge, executive and guestroom seating with a resilient natural handle
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
02 · 5 materials
Natural and engineered leather options selected by touch, maintenance and traffic level.
View specification Full-Grain Leather
Full-Grain Cognac LeatherAniline-dyed full grain; natural markings and developing patina
Best for
Premium feature seating where patina and natural markings are desirable
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Semi-Aniline Leather
Semi-Aniline Chocolate LeatherLightly pigmented leather balancing soft handle and stain protection
Best for
Luxury hospitality seating that needs a balance of handle and protection
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Nubuck Leather
Sand Nubuck LeatherBuffed top grain with suede-like nap; protective treatment recommended
Best for
Feature seating, benches, headboards and tactile casegood details
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Bonded Leather
Black Bonded LeatherEngineered leather composite; consistent colour and contract practicality
Best for
Cost-controlled indoor seating and casegood details with consistent colour
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Corrected-Grain Leather
Protected Pigmented LeatherCorrected top grain with opaque pigment and protective topcoat for high-turnover seating
Best for
Busy restaurants, lobbies and guestrooms needing natural leather with practical protection
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
03 · 11 materials
Solid timber, veneers and engineered finishes for furniture and architectural joinery.
View specification Solid Wood & Veneer
Natural Oak Solid WoodLight honey tone; straight to cathedral grain; matte clear finish
Best for
Tables, casegoods, chair frames and architectural joinery
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Solid Wood & Veneer
American Walnut Solid WoodJuglans nigra; kiln-dried; solid and veneer construction; premium furniture grade
Best for
Tables, casegoods, chair frames and architectural joinery
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Treated Wood & Veneer
Smoked Oak Wood FinishDeep grey-brown oak appearance; smoked or colour-matched stain system
Best for
Tables, casegoods, chair frames and architectural joinery
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Exterior Hardwood
Teak Hardwood FurnitureNaturally oily hardwood; exterior joinery; oiled or weathered finish
Best for
Resort, poolside and coastal furniture with serviceable solid construction
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Solid Wood & Veneer
Blonde Ash Solid WoodPale open grain; clear or white-pigmented matte finish
Best for
Tables, casegoods, chair frames and architectural joinery
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Stained Veneer
Ebony-Stained Wood VeneerBlack stained veneer; matte to piano-gloss systems available
Best for
Tables, casegoods, chair frames and architectural joinery
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Engineered Wood
Lacquered MDF Furniture FinishRAL/NCS colour matching; matte, satin or high-gloss lacquer
Best for
Colour-matched casegoods and joinery with controlled sheen
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Natural Woven Fibre
Natural Rattan & CaneHand-woven natural cane; open, closed and webbing patterns
Best for
Tables, casegoods, chair frames and architectural joinery
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Solid Hardwood
European Beech Solid WoodFine, even-grained hardwood; steam-bendable and widely used for contract chair frames
Best for
Dining-chair frames, steam-bent parts and repeated contract furniture
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Engineered Plywood Panel
Birch PlywoodMulti-ply birch panel with cross-laminated veneers and exposed or lipped edges
Best for
Stable casegoods, curved shells and deliberately exposed layered edges
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Decorative Laminate Sheet
High-Pressure Laminate (HPL)Decorative HPL bonded to a balanced furniture panel with approved edge system
Best for
Guestroom casegoods, desks and commercial furniture requiring repeatable cleanable faces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
04 · 14 materials
Natural marble, travertine, terrazzo and quartz for furniture tops and fitted surfaces.
View specification Natural Marble
Carrara White MarbleItalian white-grey marble with fine to medium grey veining
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Natural Marble
Calacatta Gold MarblePremium white Italian marble with bold grey and warm-gold veining
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Natural Marble
Arabescato Corchia MarbleItalian white marble with dramatic grey brecciated movement
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Natural Marble
Nero Marquina MarbleDeep black Spanish marble with contrasting white calcite veins
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Natural Marble
Emperador Dark MarbleDark brown Spanish marble with dense cream and light-brown veining
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Natural Marble
Crema Marfil MarbleWarm cream Spanish marble with subtle tonal movement and fine veins
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Natural Marble
Pietra Grey MarbleCharcoal-grey marble with restrained linear white veining
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Natural Marble
Verde Alpi MarbleDeep green Italian marble with white and pale-green brecciated veining
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Travertine
Travertine NoceWarm brown travertine with linear pores; filled and honed furniture finish
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Terrazzo
Terrazzo BiancoWhite cementitious or resin matrix with selected marble aggregate
Best for
Tabletops, counters, vanities and feature furniture surfaces
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Engineered Quartz
Statuario Engineered QuartzNon-porous marble-look engineered quartz; exact brand and colour by approved schedule
Best for
Vanities, counters and repeatable furniture tops requiring low porosity
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Natural Granite
Absolute Black GraniteDense fine-grained black granite; honed or polished with low visible movement
Best for
Restaurant tables, counters and hard-working dark furniture tops
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Sintered Surface
Sintered Porcelain SlabLarge-format low-porosity ceramic slab; thin profiles and printed or through-body designs
Best for
Repeatable table, counter and vanity surfaces exposed to stains, heat or sunlight
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Solid Surface
Acrylic Solid SurfaceHomogeneous acrylic-mineral sheet; seamless joints, thermoforming and repairable matte finish
Best for
Seamless reception counters, integrated vanities and thermoformed curved furniture
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
05 · 9 materials
Decorative and structural metal finishes for tables, seating, lighting and hardware.
View specification Metal Furniture Finish
Brushed Brass Furniture FinishLinear brushed warm-gold tone; clear-coated, plated or PVD system by application
Best for
Furniture frames, bases, trims, hardware, lighting and screens
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Metal Furniture Finish
Antique Bronze Furniture FinishDark hand-patinated bronze tone with sealed low-sheen surface
Best for
Furniture frames, bases, trims, hardware, lighting and screens
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Metal Furniture Finish
Brushed Nickel Furniture FinishCool silver tone with fine directional brushing and low glare
Best for
Furniture frames, bases, trims, hardware, lighting and screens
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Metal Furniture Finish
Polished Stainless Steel FurnitureMirror or high-polish surface with welds blended to approved sample
Best for
Cleanable frames and bases; coastal use only with the approved stainless grade and finish
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Metal Furniture Finish
Matte Black Steel FurnitureTextured or smooth RAL 9005 powder coat, matte sheen typical
Best for
Furniture frames, bases, trims, hardware, lighting and screens
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Metal Furniture Finish
Copper Furniture FinishNatural living copper or sealed copper tone; patina expectation to be approved
Best for
Furniture frames, bases, trims, hardware, lighting and screens
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Metal Furniture Finish
Gunmetal PVD Furniture FinishDark anthracite PVD with brushed or satin texture
Best for
High-contact luxury trims, bases and hardware on an approved stainless substrate
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Metal Furniture Finish
Chrome Furniture FinishBright mirror chrome or satin chrome to approved control sample
Best for
Furniture frames, bases, trims, hardware, lighting and screens
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Metal Furniture Finish
Powder-Coated AluminiumPre-treated polyester powder coat in approved colour, texture and exposure class
Best for
Lightweight terrace, pool and resort frames with the correct alloy, pretreatment and coating
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
06 · 5 materials
Safety, tinted, textured and decorative glass for furniture and interior features.
View specification Furniture Glass
Clear Tempered GlassClear float glass; 8–12 mm furniture thickness typical
Best for
Furniture tops, cabinet doors, shelving, screens and mirrors
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Furniture Glass
Bronze Tinted GlassBronze body-tinted or coated glass; 8–12 mm furniture thickness typical
Best for
Furniture tops, cabinet doors, shelving, screens and mirrors
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Furniture Glass
Fluted / Reeded GlassTextured patterned glass with vertical reeds; 8–12 mm furniture thickness typical
Best for
Furniture tops, cabinet doors, shelving, screens and mirrors
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Furniture Glass
Antiqued Mirror GlassDecorative mirror with controlled aged or foxed backing; 8–12 mm furniture thickness typical
Best for
Furniture tops, cabinet doors, shelving, screens and mirrors
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
View specification Furniture Glass
Laminated Safety GlassTwo or more glass plies bonded with a clear or specified interlayer; 8–12 mm furniture thickness typical
Best for
Screens, doors and furniture panels requiring fragment retention or post-breakage integrity
Material guidance · supplier data required for approval
07 · 5 materials
Textural, acoustic and seamless surface systems for hospitality and commercial interiors.
View specification Interior Wall Finish
Natural Grasscloth WallcoveringNatural fibres laminated to paper or non-woven backing
Best for
Guestrooms, corridors, lobbies, feature walls and acoustic zones
Project-specific system · final build-up must be tested
View specification Interior Wall Finish
Acoustic Felt Wall Panels100% PES reference; NRC and FR performance by current tested assembly
Best for
Wrapped or panelled acoustic zones with assembly-level NRC and fire data
Project-specific system · final build-up must be tested
View specification Interior Wall Finish
Fluted Wood Wall PanelsSolid or veneered slats on stable panel/subframe; spacing by elevation
Best for
Guestrooms, corridors, lobbies, feature walls and acoustic zones
Project-specific system · final build-up must be tested
View specification Interior Wall Finish
Grey Microcement FinishApprox. 2–3 mm layered mineral/resin system over prepared substrate
Best for
Seamless feature surfaces where substrate preparation and sealer can be controlled
Project-specific system · final build-up must be tested
View specification Interior Wall Finish
Type II Vinyl WallcoveringType II performance route where specified; exact weight, backing, finish and fire data by product
Best for
Hotel corridors, guestrooms and commercial walls requiring durable routine cleaning
Project-specific system · final build-up must be tested
BSA methodology
Every page separates what is known from what remains project-specific. A supplier, test or material reference is never automatic approval. The governing evidence is the current sample, technical data, furniture construction and required test reports.
01
Furniture item, location, traffic, cleaning and exposure.
02
Base material, finish, substrate, edges and trade-offs.
03
Technical data, performance reports, sample and shop drawing.
04
Signed sample, slab or full mock-up with a clear inspection standard.
Gulf climate lens
These are first-pass decision signals. The final solution depends on exact location, degree of exposure, cleaning regime and approved furniture construction.
| Outdoor seating | Solution-dyed fabric + quick-dry cushion build-up | UV, drainage, colourfastness, thread and zip compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal frames | Approved stainless grade or aluminium with tested coating | Metal grade, preparation, dissimilar-metal isolation and fresh-water cleaning |
| Restaurant tops | Engineered quartz or an approved stone system by exposure | Stain, acid, heat, edge support and repair strategy |
| Guestroom casegoods | Balanced veneer, laminate or lacquer by contact point | Substrate, humidity, edges, hardware and housekeeping chemicals |
Practical shortcuts
01
Natural stone, timber and leather vary. If hundreds of pieces must match, compare an engineered system or define a clear acceptance range.
02
Do not compare Martindale and Wyzenbeek as one number, or use abrasion alone as a prediction of textile lifespan.
03
Define cleaning chemistry and frequency before selecting textile, metal or stone; many failures are chemical rather than structural.
04
A small chip is not always enough. Large metalwork, stone slabs, veneer lay-up and wall finishes may require a full-size mock-up.
No. The library is a selection tool. Current samples, technical data, test reports and furniture construction must be approved against the project requirements.
No. Slabs vary in veining, tone, fissures and mineral markings. The slab or production lot must be approved before cutting.
It can mean solid brass, plated steel, PVD stainless or paint. The base metal and decorative finish system must be specified together.
Save materials to the project board or add them to comparison, then choose Request samples. The selection will carry into the project form.
Send the material schedule, furniture item, quantities, location and performance requirements. We will confirm samples, construction and documents required for approval.