FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions

By Annette M. Callari, Allied ASID; CMG

Sometimes the word carpet just doesn’t totally convey the impact and pure beauty of soft floor coverings. Surfaces 2012 debuted some inspired soft-scapes (okay, carpets) that looked like works of art. Here are some of the selections that really stood out:

Nourisan:

Grosspointe – this introduction was possibly the most innovative carpet design at the Show. Grosspointe is a lacy masterpiece that brings to mind fine crewel work. Highly dimensional, the different heights of loop pile sculpt a finished product that looks hand-crafted.

RediWeave – this woven axminster is a blend of 80% wool and 20% nylon. The 13.2” broadloom width makes it ultra-functional in commercial settings. Nourisan is offering custom combinations of standard colors, so this style can be built in ‘made-to-order” unique harmonies.

Shadowscape – this unique pattern showcases neutrals and earth hues to their best advantage. A deeply sculpted cut-pile construction, Shadowscape lives up to its name. The large scale rounded diamond patterns shift from light to medium color gradations. Although monochromatic in nature, the interesting color values make this style extremely artistic.

Joy Carpets:
This manufacturer is well-named because touring their booth brings pure joy to visitors. You can’t help but smile at some of the unique themes and twists their product designers came up with. Picture Streamers & Stars, Stacked Deck, Splatter Paint, Party Time, Puzzled, and Kapow just to name a few. Some of these stunners are laced with fluorescent accent yarns to glow in the dark. The applications are many, and young-at-heart consumers will fall in love.

Star-On (Nobilis Area Rugs):
J.D. Star-On, out of Stamford, CT introduced a collection of area rugs under the Nobilis brand name. They are unique and akin to fine art. The beautiful rug pictured in this blog uses dramatic differentiations in pile heights to create a sculpted look. The vivid contrast colors are the other part of this artistic equation. Well-done!

Hopefully this mini-tour of what Surfaces put forth in soft floor coverings has inspired you. No doubt, there are some award winners in the line-up I’ve highlighted. There are so many more that deserve honorable mention, but blogs shouldn’t become novels. I will let the pictures included here tell the rest

of the story.

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s Consumer Carpet & Flooring Guide.

By Annette Callari, Allied ASID; CMG

Every professional interior designer is required to study the History of Furniture and Art History as part of their college curriculum.  This is the best way to gain a long-term perspective and respect for design evolution.   Well, guess what?  Design evolution is not a done deal.  With all due respect to historic design modes, these styles are being modernized and stylized to bring a new breed of interiors to consumers.  It’s exciting and somewhat startling, but decades from now, students will be studying ‘American Modernism’ as part of their design curriculum.

This is not to say that we have thrown out Classical, Contemporary, Country or Transitional design styles.  We are taking the best of each and giving them a fresh look.  Nobody does it better than Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams.  In my opinion, as a veteran interior designer, their interpretations of classic design modes have stunningly redefined interiors.

This furniture manufacturer headquartered in North Carolina designs furniture with a holistic approach to design.  Here is how they represent their philosophy:

“Furnishings from mid-Century to the 1970’s truly inspire us.  We love to bring these wonderful designs from our past into the present… making sure they are clean lined as well as comfortable; reassuringly familiar, yet up to the moment.  …With these pieces, we create rooms in a relaxed modern style—a soothing mix of soft hues and layered textures, accented by pops of color.  Rooms that are simple to update over time.  Easy, uncomplicated, and eco-friendly.”

It is so exciting to see in print exactly the formula I prescribe for every design I create—for both residential and commercial interiors.  If you have followed FloorTalk and Designer’s Corner, then you have read that design is meant to be timeless with a “less is more” theme.  Quality pieces that will become the foundation of your design are meant to be kept for the long-term.  Accent pieces, accessories, toss pillows, and backgrounds can be changed for a minimal investment to keep your rooms fresh.  But it will be the timeless furnishings, well-made and comfortable, that become the cornerstones of your design.

Gold + Williams understands this concept thoroughly, as you can see for yourself on their website www.Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.com.  Classic Modern, Modern Farmhouse, Mid-Century Modern, Modern English and Classic Country are all a part of the new chapters being written in the book of design.  And very interesting to see that each design setting pictured on the website or in their catalog includes rooms underscored with exactly the right area rug.  It defines the space and the “message” the room is meant to convey—via color-rich, textural rugs. As I see design transitioning, area rugs are becoming significant players in every style of design.  From tailored good looks to over-the-top shaggy styles, area rugs are the superstars in pulling the entire room together.  Whether it’s the last item you add, or the launch point for the entire room design, find that perfect area rug to make your personal design statement come to life!

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s Consumer Carpet & Flooring Guide.

By Annette M. Callari, Allied ASID; CMG

We’ve all heard the term “Tartan Plaid”, and our thoughts immediately go back to a design of Scottish origin.  After a bit of research, I’ve found out that part of our assumption as to the definition of a tartan plaid is correct, but use of the word “plaid” has a different connotation in North America than it does in Scotland.  According to Wikipedia:

Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns. (Tartan is also known as plaid in North America, but in Scotland, a plaid is a tartan cloth slung over the shoulder, or a blanket.)  Tartan dates back as far as 1782, when it was adopted as the symbolic national dress of Scotland.

The reason for giving you this back story is to bring a point to your attention.  Today’s textile and carpet designs often draw from history to create a fresh version of a proven winner.  That’s exactly what Shaw Industries did as they featured a Tartan design as the center point of their new introduction, “Bentley”.  As part of their Woven Expressions collection, “Bentley” captures the essence of a traditional tartan in updated, easy-to-live-with colors.  Burnished Gold, Wheat, Garnet and Ebony are the color-rich choices (learn more at ShawFloors.com).

The scale and replication of true Tartan design is beautifully represented in “Bentley”.  Not only is it available in 13’2” width broadloom, but also in a large selection of area rug sizes.  This definitely enhances decorating possibilities.  Using the same stunning Tartan design, you can carpet entire rooms, and then punctuate hard surface floors with a matching area rug.  Continuity is one of the key elements of good design, and here’s a great way to achieve that.

The entire Woven Expressions collection is constructed from 100% Marquesa™ solution dyed olefin.  This yarn system offers outstanding stain and fade resistance, and superior durability is a given.  The warranty validates the manufacturer’s confidence that this carpet will perform:

• 10-year Stain Warranty
• 10-year Texture Retention Warranty
• 10-year Abrasive Wear Warranty
• 10-year Quality Assurance Warranty

I love a new product that has a real story behind it. It adds a bit of romance and authenticity to any introduction. Given the Gaelic roots and Scottish traditions behind “Bentley”, I’d say its international flavor is bound to make some history of its own.

Submitted by Annette Callari, Allied ASID; CMG

You all count on me to discover what’s new and what’s stunning in the world of floor coverings.  I am always searching for just that.  And in the words of my once-upon-a-time two year old twins, “I found it!”  (This they would proclaim whenever they spotted the Golden Arches from their baby car seats.) 

Masland Carpet Mills is not a new name to you, but what I’m about to share with you is– and it adds a high-contemporary dimension to this respected mill.  Kennedy Frierson, the COO of The Dixie Group (Masland’s parent company) recently announced their new partnership with Brink & Campman, a custom axminster rug manufacturer based in Lichetenvoorde, Germany.  Brink & Campman evolved from a meager start back in 1897 in the Netherlands, to become a style and design leader world-wide. 

What I’m looking for, for my own clients, are products designed with a twist–creations that can elevate an area rug to a work of art.  That is exactly the way I would describe Masland’s Brink & Campman products.  Thick denier pure wool yarns; luxurious hand; high-style interpretations of organic designs; true, vivid colors–all are the hallmarks that set this line apart.  They are offering several production options for the discerning customer:  woven; handknotted; handwoven; and handtufted rugs.  In the woven category, I got a kick out of their no-nonsense earthy styles:  Haze, Rocks, Gravel and Fusion, just to name a few.  How’s that for piquing your interest?  How could those names possibly interpret to rugs?  Well they do, and quite well.  I have a favorite and that would be Rocks.  Color combinations that bring to mind bowls of rainbow-colored hard candies grab your attention.  Thick, soft-to-the-touch yarn bundles give the finished rug a playful, contemporary look.  The color combinations in each rug earn the style its name—because it ROCKS! 

In the hand-knotted category, you have to see Himali styles Aquarel and Shade.  These are both 100% pure new wool rugs available in three great sizes.  It’s going to be a struggle to decide whether to spot light one of these rugs hanging on a wall, or actually use it as a rug.  Warm-toned striations of color are as vivid and artistic as a hand-painted canvas.  Aquarel adds some subtle geometrics as well.  Great sizes for the standards, and custom sizes are also available.

Finally, accolades to the hand-knotted Kodari collection.  In particular, styles Bricks, Slate, Vegas, and Miami.  These are not for the faint of heart.  If you are a high-contrast individual and love color, you’ll be ordering one of these today.  Van Gogh would have wanted one of these on his floor.  Even a wordsmith cannot describe these and do them justice.  So I won’t even try.  But you can see for yourself on Brink & Campman’s website.  Then locate a Masland dealer in your area and you’re ready to go.

I had so much fun exploring this rug collection and writing about it for you. Never underestimate just how influential European design is in the world of timeless interiors.   If you’re looking to add some European-inspired ‘fine art’ to your home, I do believe Masland can now help you with that. 

Through a comment on Floor Talk!, I found the site called rugrag.com, the premier destination for information about area rugs. This site is filled with knowledge, useful information and hints and tips if you are in the market to buy an area rug.

The site contains special features such as a quiz on what’s your ideal style where you are asked questions about the thickness, detail, field, colors and price. Then, based on your preferences, they give you a recommendation for which type of rugs you might like.

Below is an example of their suggestions that include descriptions and images:

Another section is on celebrities and their rugs!  For example, on March 2nd, the news was about Michael Jackson’s rugs being auctioned.

Another great section is a section for first time buyers where you will find an interactive rug forum, rug style guide, a stain removal guide, rug estimator pro, rug washing estimate, verification, FAQ’s, rug care cleaning and repair and purchasing decisions.

The Rug Rag forum is the best way to ask questions on and about Oriental Rugs, and have an expert in the field to respond quickly.  This is the first ever Oriental Rug Forum which is not hosted by a Rug Seller, or engage in heavy “technical talk.”  On the Forum, they encourage users to link to items under purchase consideration, in addition to asking any and all questions relating to rugs in appropriate topic areas.

The Rug Rag Style Guide is the First Ever interactive Web Tool for Consumers to be provided with key search terms for their Oriental Rugs.

Rug Rag Verifications are the ultimate tool for both Oriental Rug Buyer and Seller.  You may note in listings for rugs on the Internet, a Rug Rag Badge has been located in or near the item description.  By clicking on this badge, you will then be directed to a Report Card outlining important points on that specific rug.

There are many tools and pieces of advice on this site to help you make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing an area rug. They even have a guide to help you guy rugs on Ebay!

If you are in the market for an Oriental rug, this site is a must to check out before you take your first step.