Saudi interior decoration specialist Alarabi is to set up 'permanent operations' in Kuwait, which it considers a key market in the Gulf. ''After almost 20 years of undertaking major decoration projects in Saudi Arabia, Alarabi is now fast expanding its international horizons,'' says Pietro Nebbia, the Italian president of the Jeddah-based firm.

Armstrong World Industries has launched a new generation of ceiling systems that will enable dramatic advances in the design and flexibility of commercial interiors by allowing the integration of sound and wireless systems into the ceiling plane without them being visible from below.

Greenline Interiors is aiming for major business growth in the Middle East hotel industry and the international luxury yacht business.

Hewi of the UK says its new range of door furniture successfully mirrors the interior concepts of designers. ''Eye-catching, stylish and individual, the Range 150 door handles from Hewi brings new visual and tactile effects to any new-build or refurbishment programme,'' says company spokeswoman Julie Batters.

The fusion of opposites has been predicted to be a key consumer lifestyle trend in 2002 and 2003, according to Perclers Paris, one of the world's leading styling agencies. This year's forecast was commissioned by DuPont of France, which manufactures the solid-surface material called Corian.

For doors to function, they must have gaps between the edges of the door and the frame, as well as the floor. These gaps are there to allow doors to be opened and closed easily and to accommodate normal building movements. The same criteria apply to windows.

UAE interiors specialist Indeset Trading & Decoration Services says a simple group philosophy of providing quality at reasonable prices has been the cornerstone for its success. The Dubai-based firm is part of the diversified Oman-based Services and Trade Company group.

he aim of decorating the interior of homes or offices is to create a visually-pleasing environment, with lighter shades making a room appear more spacious than darker ones. However, it should be taken into account that different colours can have different effects on a person's mood and behaviour.

Bobcat has expanded its range of skid-steer loader attachments with the launch of the new Super Scraper, a time-saving tool for soft demolition and interior refurbishment applications. ''Historically, removing tile flooring and carpets has been a labour-intensive task, often leaving an uneven surface behind.