It’s official. Today marks the launch of not one. Not two. But eight new materials.
Yes, you heard us correctly. And we heard you. After listening to your feedback, we noted that complementary materials were something you'd like to see for use in your interior schemes. So, as you asked, we answered; with the launch of five new Earth materials, a duo of Dapples, and a reimagined take on our popular Kaleido mix.
The beauty of the colourways is they can be seamlessly paired – guided by available waste streams, Kaleido has been crafted to perfectly complement every shade in the Earth Collection. The aim is to grant you more creative freedom than ever before, with the same sustainability credentials you've come to expect from us at Smile.
Excited? You should be! If you’re visiting the Workspace Design Show this week (26 & 27 February 2025) you’ll be the first to glimpse the new materials in person. But if you can’t make it, fear not, samples are available to order here.
To offer you greater flexibility, we’ve also introduced a new customisation service for our Earth Collection. We understand how important it is for your material choices to be just right – so just ask us, and we can make any small changes to the aesthetic of your panels; for example, dialling up the blue or toning down seastone green to make them bespoke to you.
Here’s a run-down of what’s new…we’d love to know what you think of these new additions. Do you have a favourite?
Marlais
Just like the thick, textural tangle of reeds and bulrush that lines our Welsh riverbanks, underlaid with weathered pebbles and sediment; Marlais gains its rich, patinated appearance from the mixture of materials that creates it. Offering a neutral combination of tones – blue with an organic grained aesthetic, this material makes a humble statement that’s ideal for commercial interiors.
Aber
With a navy-blue base palette and the slight reveal of sand swirling to its surface, Aber takes visual cues from the winding rivers of the Welsh countryside. Enticing you to take a closer look, a combination of would-be waste plastic is layered and pressed, spurring certain elements to become emboldened to rise, and others to fall. The result is a captivating, dynamic surface akin to wild, rushing waters.
Moss
If you’ve ever wandered through a forest on a misty morning, you’ll find echoes of its serene beauty in Moss’ design. Like droplets of dew nestled on vibrant green moss, subtle golden flecks shimmer through the surface, creating an interplay of texture and tone – a soft chiaroscuro effect that invites depth and richness. Evoking the grounding stillness of nature, Moss conjures a sensory narrative – the scent of damp earth, the soft rustle of leaves, and the distant melody of birdsong.
Seastone
Inspired by the foaming sea that rises and crashes onto the Welsh coastline, Seastone’s textural and tonal palette appears as though observing deep blue waves from an aerial view. Green hued blueish shades are fresh and enlivening, with specks dotted across the surface like boats bobbing up and down with the ebb and flow of the sea. Grounded in comfort, Seastone’s veined finish is reminiscent of the sea-weathered stones from which it got its name.
Flint
You asked, we answered. Meet Flint – our first true black material, designed to make sparks fly. Minimal yet confident, with a rugged, nature-inspired, stone-like organic appearance; texture takes centre stage. When interacting with light, this rich recycled surface takes on a unique finish, revealing a different view to all who lay their eyes on it. In contrast to solid black, this multi-faceted material alludes to the microscopic quartz crystals that make up the rock after which this material was named.
Deepening our Dapples
Rose Dapple
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet… but, with its sumptuous shades of brilliant pink and glistening white, there was no better name for this new addition to our Dapple collection. Transforming unwanted plastic into a surface material that’s equal in sustainability, style and substance, Rose Dapple stands the test of time in any setting – for a commercial interior solution that’s all bloom and no thorn. Just like the flower after which it’s named, Rose Dapple is a fleeting beauty – a limited-edition material that will only bloom for a short time before its lifecycle comes to an end.
Lunar Dapple
It’s not a phase – the celestial Lunar Dapple is now in orbit in our popular Dapple collection. Created from a humble kitchen staple – discarded chopping boards – Lunar Dapple’s appearance is now more akin to the light of the misty moon shining high above our Welsh moors. An elegant combination of gleaming white, transparent segments, and understated ochre flecks gives this surface solution a patina that proves sustainability doesn’t have to eclipse style. Lunar Dapple is a rare celestial event – a limited-edition material that will wane once its cycle is complete. Don’t miss the chance to capture its timeless glow before it disappears into the night sky.
Complementing our Core Collection
Kaleido
A vibrant celebration of colour, Kaleido is as bold and unapologetic as its name suggests. This maximalist masterpiece is dotted and dashed with vivid hues, evoking an artist’s palette brought to life. Made from recycled cosmetic bottles, it’s a statement piece in more ways than one – offering a playful nod to its origins with traces of barcodes and labels visible on the surface.
Each Kaleido panel is unique, with no two batches ever exactly alike – a testament to its recycled origins and handcrafted charm. But this iteration won’t last forever. When the current waste stream comes to an end, so too will this version of Kaleido.
All of these new ranges are available for projects with fast turnarounds – get in touch to discuss your specific requirements here.
Our UK manufacturing team – which, we’re proud to share, has just hit 1,000 days of no lost time accidents, due to careful diligence paid across our entire operations – is here to support you at every stage of your specification journey.
We hope you love these new materials as much as we do! If you’re visiting Workspace Design Show this week, you can find us on Stand G11 in the Innovation Zone. Or, why not get acquainted with Smile at the bar, where our collaboration with M Moser Associates will debut?
