press & events
Author Archive: Sapphire Spaces
One year on
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on October 13th 2013 in Events
To mark the occasion, over 100 VIP guests were invited to the showroom where they were treated to a champagne reception, live music and a cookery demonstration by Devon’s own celebrity chef Michael Caines.
Mark and Ross saw two years of meticulous planning come to fruition when Sapphire opened a year ago. Since then the business has captured a significant share of the luxury kitchen and bathroom market securing orders of more than £1m since launch.
“It’s been an amazing year, “ said Mark. “People told us we were crazy to start up a business like ours in the...
Micheal Caines Slateware
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on October 13th 2013 in General
We are thrilled to be stocking Michael Caines' slateware in the Sapphire Living Space showroom.
To get a 20% discount off this range, simply visit www.slateware.co.uk and quote 'Sapphire'. Offer valid until 13th November 2013.
Wave an exhibition of paintings at Sapphire
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on October 2nd 2013 in Events
On Tuesday 27th August, we were thrilled to hold a launch to an exhibition of paintings inspired by the sea by Christine Allison. It proved to be another great event and thank you to everyone who was able to join us on the evening. The event was sponsored by Spiral Cellars.
A new face at Sapphire
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on October 2nd 2013 in General
As we celebrate our 1st birthday in our showroom, our team is also expanding which is great news for Sapphire.
Our new team member is David Aspinall who has over 10 years industry experience. And having been named as ‘New Bathroom Designer of the year’ in 2005 and ‘Bathrooms Designer of the Year Finalist’ in 2007, he really will be a great asset to the team.
At Plymouth University, David studied Product Design learning to think innovatively, exploring cultural, technical and market issues to find ways to improve the quality of life through design. What’s more, he...
Carl Hansen Furniture now in the Showroom
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on October 2nd 2013 in General
With clear links to the original edition the CH07 is now available with a seat and back made of oil-treated teak – precisely as it was 50 years ago. The frame of the jubilee edition is made from oil-treated oak and it is upholstered using the rare and exclusive red Niger goat hide. The limited series of 150 chairs – to be divided equally between Europe, Asia and USA – is a one-off production run exclusively for the 50th anniversary. This makes the jubilee edition an obvious collector's item.
With beautiful craftsmanship and a stunning quality of finish,...
Alex & Valerie visit bulthaup
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on July 18th 2013 in General
This month Sapphire designer-consultant Valerie M Lecompte and I have been lucky enough to spend 3 days at the bulthaup factory in Aich, Germany.......what an experience (writes Alex Newbery)!
Having heard Mark and Ross talk about their previous visits I knew we would have some long days ahead of us and our product knowledge would be tested so, despite Mark's reassurances, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous about this trip.
I needn't have worried, yes there were long days and yes we had to do some presentations and spend time in the classroom but in true...
Sapphire goes international
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on July 16th 2013 in General
The Sapphire team faced a unique challenge when a couple visited their showroom to enquire about a kitchen for their holiday home. For rather than being on the Exeter business's doorstep, the property was 1,133 miles away - in Venice!
Undeterred, Sapphire owners Ross Pollard and Mark Newbery set about the difficult task of transporting and installing the bespoke kitchen in the romantic Italian city. And their problems really began when the German handcrafted bulthaup units were shipped from Bavaria to the Italian mainland, as Mark explained.
"The only mode of transport in Venice is by water and the...
Visiting bulthaup to learn from their craftmen
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on July 16th 2013 in General
Sapphire partner Ross Pollard has been on his travels in the past month. He attended an advanced fitting course at the headquarters of kitchen supplier bulthaup in Aich, Germany.
Ross learned about the advancements and technological developments that have been made by the bulthaup craftsmen in recent months.
"The attention to detail is incredible, so much so that they even had us cooking meals for each other," said Ross.
"bulthaup regularly fly their partners out for training and product development seminars, and we are keen to take advantage of that."
Shaken, not stirred
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on July 16th 2013 in General
Sapphire Living continued its successful run of evening events with a glamorous invitation-only, black tie, Bond night.
As well as canapés and cocktails there were cars fit for 007 himself from Grange Aston Martin Exeter.
Meanwhile, the co-author of the River Cottage Fish Book, Nick Fisher demonstrated some exotic recipes with local, sustainable fish.
Both Bang & Olufsen and SingleSwitch were on hand with gadgets and home automation systems that would give Q a run for his money.
Sapphire joint partner Mark Newbery said the evening had been a huge success.
He added: "In the past we have organised...
Colour and Cocktails
Posted by Sapphire Spaces on May 23rd 2013 in Events
The most recent event at the end of May was an evening of cocktails and colour in association with gloss art gallery displaying art from artists including Yvonne Coomber, Isobel Osborne and Brian Turner. The Magdalen Chapter also joined us, providing cocktail making demonstrations, including Sapphire's own cocktail!
