FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions

Annette Callari, Allied ASID

This is the story of how a product started out as one thing, and evolved into something entirely different.  Back in 1943, a family-owned company named Richlite produced materials strictly for industrial purposes:  aerospace applications, fiberglass reinforcements for marine industries, and materials for commercial food industries. But in the late 1990’s architects and designers discovered Richlite and began specifying it for high-end residential and commercial countertops, as well as reception areas.  And, to date, this story just keeps getting better and better.

Richlite is made primarily from paper purchased from FSC-Certified sources.  The paper is treated with resin, then pressed and baked to create solid sheets of material with exceptional strength. Because of its blend of waste paper, corrugated cardboard, soft woods and wood fibers, Richlite is able to create Herculean surfaces that satisfy aesthetics as well as function. (And brings “Green” specification to a new level.)  If you are wondering just how strong Richlite could possibly be, it’s a fact that the action sports industry has successfully used this material for outdoor skate ramps!!!  Enough said.

These countertops have earned GREENGUARD certification for indoor use residentially, but are also approved for school and institutional environments.  The material has a natural appeal and matte finish that gives it a clean, architectural look–very urban chic by nature.  Its strength is inherent for the life of the product and enables the surface to accommodate long spans and cantilevers without extra support.  No wonder designers and architects love it.  Its uses, of course, are not limited to countertops.  The product can be used for interior wall cladding, wainscots, work surfaces, wall caps, stair treads, and even free-form architectural features. 

If you happen to be intrigued by this chameleon product, log on to www.richlite.com to find out more.  There you can also see the color choices, which include dark green, rich chocolate tones, deep blue, golden amber, light maple, and even a deep red.

I love bringing versatile, innovative products to your attention, especially when they further the cause of sustainability.  I’ve given you some interesting applications as food for thought.  But its uses are limited only by your imagination.  Now it’s up to you to get creative!  Let me know what you create and I’ll share your story with our readers in future blogs.

Submitted By:  Annette M. Callari, Allied ASID, CMG

I’ve always loved the term “floating floors”.  It conjures up magical images of products that have hidden powers.  Well, there are no magic carpets except in the cartoons, but there is some magic in a new flooring system from Avaire Floors that offers consumers an interlocking, floating, porcelain floor. For those of us in the flooring industry, that raises a few eyebrows for sure. 

It means that now there is a way for you to have real porcelain tile floors with an installation system that floats (not fixed to the subfloor).  It can be installed over radiant heating systems, or directly over vinyl, linoleum or hardwood with no underlayment!  Here’s how it works:  Place, click, grout.  It’s that easy.  The tiles have a non-skid base which is self-leveling, sound deadening, and interlocking for precise spacing.  You already know that porcelain is harder and denser than most other types of ceramic tile, so that makes it ideal for high traffic areas as well.

Avaire has three collections they are offering, Standard, Choice and Select.  Very much like natural stone, there are inherent color shade variations in the different styles.  V1 ratings indicate a uniform appearance, V2 shows slight variations, V3 moderate, and V4 styles have substantial variations, which adds to the realism of the look.  The collections include authentic slate looks, travertine, and beautiful natural stone looks.  The colors are nature-based, earthy and yet very sophisticated. (Feel free to visit Avair floors for visuals and more information.)  Avaire also provides the appropriate flexible grout products specifically designed for these floors in both flexible grout/Urethane, and flexible grout/Acrylic options. 

Obviously, the fast and convenient installation is a huge benefit, but let’s analyze some of the other benefits you could expect:

-      Realistic stone looks, without the cost of real stone

-      Built-in acoustical properties to create sound absorption

-      Real porcelain tile manufactured with the latest screening technologies to produce natural shading

-      Fast and convenient installation

-      Excellent resistance to stains, water, bacteria, and scratches

-      AND (this one is pretty important) replacement of any damaged tiles in the future can be done much easier than traditional porcelain tile floors, even if it’s in the middle of the room

It is very gratifying to see something this innovative introduced for residential use.  And to bring it to your attention–since it is one of the very first flooring systems like this on the market.  I strongly believe that manufacturers today need to think outside the box and bring “smart” products to market.  Products that solve a problem for the consumer (installs over existing floors!), and serves a multi-function purpose (a beautiful floor that has built-in sound reduction properties!)  Who can ask for more than that?

Submitted by Annette M. Callari, A.S.I.D.; CMG

October 14, 2009 marked the date for the American Society of Interior Designers annual tradeshow here in Southern California.  Attending that show as a professional designer is always reenergizing–discovering innovative products that can (and do) stop you in your tracks!  The show is open only to ASID designers and student chapter members, but I can certainly share some of the highlights with you.  

When you think of quartz countertop materials, you most likely envision something quietly elegant, with the Silestone®, Cambria®, Caesarstone® or Zodiaq® name on it.  All of these are well-known brands that create surfaces from quartz aggregates and polyester binders.  They are beautiful, functional, and timeless. Did you know that natural quartz happens to be one of the hardest, most abundant minerals found in nature?  Only diamonds, sapphires, and topaz are harder!  This accounts for quartz products being highly scratch resistant, but still, be sure to use cutting boards when slicing on quartz surfaces.  Another strongpoint of quartz counters would be the consistency of color.  Manufacturers offer a well-rounded palette of colors that showcase the light-reflective brilliance of natural quartz.  And–these surfaces are non-porous and resist staining, so no sealing is required.

So what can I possibly tell you that would be news in the world of quartz?  I can tell you that one manufacturer featured at this tradeshow—Compac® Quartz USA— has teamed up with a world-renowned artist, Karim Rashid, to create a signature line of quartz countertop products that are—without exaggeration– a work of art.  Karim Rashid is well known for his creative product designs, as well as his designs in fashion, furniture and contributions to the world of art.  He has designed for Shiseido, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Armani, Carolina Herrera, and now Compac!  So, what sets his collection apart?  COLOR!  Expect the unexpected.  Rashid’s brilliant contemporary color line features a stunning fuscia red, a glitterati silver (sparkling with shards of quartz); two refreshing water-toned blues; Lila–a deep violet; Musaka–a port wine color; Absolute Blanc—a creamy neutral, and (hold on to your hats) flamingo pink and lime green!  Not exactly what you would expect for countertop choices, and all the more reason designers were captivated. Strong, bold, breathtaking and unexpected–all of those adjectives readily apply to this artisan-inspired collection.  If your personality matches that description, here’s the countertop for you.  Find out more about these focal point quartz products at compacmqusa.com  Click on Quartz Compac/Color Palette/Karim to view the color line.

(Note of interest—most of these new colors are reflective of the 2010 home interiors color trends forecast published at wfca.org “Designer’s Corner” 8/18/09. Be sure to check it out.)

Kitchens.com – one of my favorite websites, has launched a new sister site called iBaths.com. Kitchens.com is a place where you can find information and inspiration for your ideal kitchen.

Whether you are halfway through a kitchen remodel or thinking of fixing up your bath, Kitchens.com wants you to know about their new sister site. With lush photos, informative articles and interactive features, iBaths.com is a comprehensive online destination for anyone interested in bathroom remodeling and design.

Tools you will find on kitchens.com and iBaths.com include: blogs, forums, find a pro, product spotlights, design, planning, products, photos, videos, kitchen tours and other resources.

Check these sites out today and get inspired! There are hundreds of gorgeous pictures in the photos section of Contemporary, Country, Old World, Rustic, Traditional and Transitional room scenes where you can see fabulous floor, wall, countertop and cabinet combinations to inspire you.

Another favorite part of the site is the quizzes and questionnaires much like the ones found on the WFCA site. These interactive tools help you gain a sense of what your style is and how to apply it to the kitchen of your dreams.

Also, check out the color ideas section on iBaths.com to learn about color palettes, where to start with color, color type, describing color and color combinations.

Ok – enough telling you what to check out that I think is cool, check out the site for yourself and be sure to give yourself some time – you’re going to want to stay on the site for a while!