The Highway Hotel and Peninsula Hotel in Adelaide, South Australia recently underwent a redesign of their dining areas. These separate premises have become popular pubs and function venues over recent years, with both owners recognising the opportunity to elevate the atmosphere in dining spaces while also addressing the practical needs of a high-traffic restaurant. Surround Interiors by Fleur found the perfect solution for both briefs with our innovative quilted velvet Pia and mid-century inspired Mingle Mangle by FibreGuard, providing a luxury and sophisticated look to dining booths with the benefits of stain resistance and durability.
We spoke to Fleur from Surround interiors to discuss her interest in FibreGuard and how high-performance fabrics support designers and clients in the specification process.
What attracted you to the FibreGuard range?
Honestly, it’s the peace of mind they offer. The stain resistance of FibreGuard fabrics is a must-have in large commercial settings such as hotels and restaurants. Knowing that when spills and mishaps occur, (which they will), that the fabric can be cleaned and restored is a huge relief, not only for our clients but for us as designers. It allows us to provide a service to our clients beyond the finishing line of a project, knowing that we have put strategies in place to extend the life of the fabric design. In addition, the extensive range of FibreGuard products means there is nearly always an option to suit whatever styles or colours we are looking for.
Surround Interiors specified FibreGuard fabrics in recent projects The Peninsula Hotel and The Highway Hotel
What are your key considerations when selecting fabrics for hospitality, particularly restaurants?
We prioritise a few key factors. Of course, the fabric needs to complement the scheme of the space we are designing, be readily available, and sit within a desired price bracket. Equally important is ease of maintenance. In busy places, fabrics need to be durable and easy to clean without losing their quality or appeal. FibreGuard fabrics tick these boxes for us which is why it is such an obvious choice.
How do interior designers and clients benefit from including FibreGuard designs in projects?
For us, it’s about confidence. Recommending FibreGuard fabrics means we can assure our clients that their interior spaces will look great, and stay that way, for a long time. It gives us the freedom to focus on creativity knowing we have also considered the practicalities.
For our clients, it’s a win-win. They get fabrics that not only look fantastic, but also save them money in the long run due to reduced maintenance and longer lifespan.
Can you describe your experience working with Zepel?
Working with Zepel feels like collaborating with a partner who shares our passion for quality and innovation. They’re not just about selling; they understand the needs of the industry inside out, and take the time to understand the designer’s individual taste and style preferences. From selection to delivery, their professionalism and personal touch is apparent the whole way through. It really helps to make every project more seamless and sufficient.
The FibreGuard collection is a testament to Zepel’s dedication to excellence, and it’s incredibly helpful to have a supplier to rely on that source these types of products, along with such an extensive range of colours and styles. They’ve set the bar for what we expect from a fabric supplier, and we are very grateful for what they have enabled us to achieve for our clients.
Supporting designers and their clients, high-performance fabrics provide product confidence, allow design creativity, and exploration of diverse fabrics with the assurance that functionality and aesthetics can harmoniously exist. The FibreGuard range empowers designers to select any colourway, even white, knowing that stains won’t permanently damage the appearance or durability of the fabric.
Explore our Easy Clean I collection by FibreGuard that features plain weave designs with unique textures that are extremely versatile for commercial interiors. The Easy Clean series are curated with the most popular colourways and provide diversity in finish, hand feel, and weave construction.
At Zepel, our commercial team specialise in providing fit for purpose upholstery, drapery, and wallcovering solutions for the hospitality industry.
Interior Designer: Surround Interiors by Fleur
Venue: The Highway Hotel. Fabric: Pia in Amber. Marble Tables: Agostino & Brown
Venue: The Peninsula Hotel. Fabric: Mingle Mangle in Spice and Cascade. Furniture: M+D Commercial