Annette Callari, A.S.I.D.; CMG

Sharing creative ideas is a big part of what WFCA wants to bring to its readership. So I’d like to share a little designer secret with you–something I’ve done for quite some time with my residential clients–and something that can open a whole new world of carpets to you.

There are so many beautiful styles available residentially, mainly as a result of the sophisticated, highly computerized (multi-million dollar) machinery mills have invested in. The result of that product development has brought to market breathtaking and luxurious styles. But every now and then, I have clients who are looking for something very tailored, super-functional, and totally outside-the-box of traditional residential styling. These are my “Main Street Commercial” cross-over customers, and I know exactly what they are looking for.

This desire for low-profile, high style carpets is not just for architects’ or engineers’ homes anymore. Commercial styles are finding their way into YOUR homes more and more. Several reasons could be sighted for this phenomenon:

1. Aesthetics are totally unique and offer sophisticated designs.
2. Functionality is off the charts! Many of the carpets are solution dyed, which means the dye is actually in the fibers at the time of extrusion. This makes the carpet almost impervious to most stains (you could spill bleach and not affect it), and they are extremely fade-resistant.
3. Many styles come in carpet tile format. Tiles are easily interchanged or replaced as needed, and the end result is a floor that looks newer longer.
4. Low profile commercial carpets are children and pet friendly (but stay away from loop styles if your pet has claws). Your toddler likes to ride his Big Wheel in the house? No problem.
5. As many of us are tending to our aging parents, if they are using walkers or wheelchairs, low-profile commercial style carpets will be a safer choice for your home.
6. Color lines are not as extensive as residential carpets, but palettes offer very livable colors for the home. Loops, cut piles and amazing patterns are all part of
   commercial libraries, and you just have to ASK your retailer to see his commercial styles. (They are sampled in architect folders, but larger samples can be ordered.)
7. If you are committed to sustainability and recycling, you especially will want to research commercial carpets. Most mills have a recycling program already in place. As an example, Shaw Industries has created a line of commercial carpets that are 100% recyclable (Eco-Solution Q), including the carpet backing! And I’m talking cradle-to-cradle recycling. Their Type 6 nylon can be broken down into the basic raw materials, and rebuilt into brand new carpet. The products have labels attached to the back with phone numbers of whom to call to pick the used carpet up when you are ready to replace it. Eco-Solution Q products are just one example of the commitment commercial (and residential) carpet manufacturers have made to the cause of recycling.

So there you have a look into the world of commercial carpet—it’s different and it’s fascinating–something new for you to consider as you are planning your future interior design. The styles are stunning and truly artistic, and if functionality is at the top of your list, this may be just the solution for you.

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!

Some of the flooring considerations and guidelines:

• Smooth, non-glare, slip-resistant surfaces, interior and exterior
• If carpeted, use low (less than ½ inch high pile) density, with firm pad
• Color/texture contrast to indicate change in surface levels

Some bathroom considerations as it pertains to flooring and tiled areas:

• Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets
• Contrasting color edge border at countertops
• Bracing in walls around tub, shower, shower seat and toilet for installation of grab bars to support 250 - 300 pounds
• If stand-up shower is used in main bath, it is curbless and minimum of 36 inches wide
• Bathtub - lower for easier access
• Fold down seat in the shower
• Adjustable/ handheld showerheads, 6-foot hose
• Shower stall with built-in antibacterial protection
• Wall-hung sink with knee space and panel to protect user from pipes
• Slip-resistant flooring in bathroom and shower

There is a council designed especially for more knowledge on aging in place called The National Aging in Place Council.The National Aging in Place Council is a membership organization founded on the belief that an overwhelming majority of older Americans want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, but lack awareness of home and community-based services that make independent living possible.  NAIPC has created a national forum for individuals from the aging, healthcare, financial services, legal, design and building sectors to work together to help meet the needs of our growing aging population, so they can continue living in the housing of their choice

To learn more about aging in place, click here for the National Aging in Place Council.

SOME READER QUESTIONS INCLUDED:

Cleaning laminate with vinegar - can vinegar be used safely to clean laminate floors?

Area rug padding - what types of area rug padding are out there and why it’s important.

Flooring for extreme temperatures - a reader wants a floor that can withstand extreme temperature changes.

Rubber Flooring - a cake decorator is looking for a soft flooring alternative for her business.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS INCLUDED:

Warmly Yours - introduces radiant heating for showers.

Wilsonart introduces laminate tile - a new lineup of classic high pressure laminate flooring that reflects the hottest style trends in both residential and commercial interiors.

WFCA color trends report - latest flooring designs take inspiration from fashion runways.

Shaw education on allergens and energy - this post talks about Shaw’s efforts to educate and debunk the many myths  about carpet regarding allergies and indoor air qualities.

OTHER POSTS INCLUDED:

Fabulous Find: Waterworks and Walker Zanger tiles - noteworthy products from Waterworks and Walker Zanger tile companies.

Highlight of rug info site called Rug Rag - the premier destination for information about area rugs.

Leather tiles - features, design options, durability, installation, maintenance and benefits of leather tiles.

Beaulieu’s Bliss carpet - get a cleaner feeling home with Bliss carpet by Beaulieu.

The meaning of colors - color were broken down into what they mean from a decorating standpoint as well as their tie to emotions.

How to deal with carpet issues - this post covered carpet issues such as crushed pile, shedding, snags and footprints and what should be done about them.

Top 10 things your housekeeper should know about your floors - tips such as why you should not drag furniture across the floors, what types of mops should and shouldn’t be used on hard surfaces, why walk off mats are important and more.

Do you have a topic that you would like to learn more about. Leave a comment!

A unique collaboration of designers, artisans, and manufacturers create each Waterworks product. Every fitting or fixture, tile or textile meets their uncompromising standards for quality assurance and excellence - proving that functionality and inspired aesthetics go hand-in-hand.

Shown here is a collection of glass called Tempo. Notice the incredible detail of each mosaic. These pieces are the type of tile that set a room apart from any other.  These tiles can be used sparingly for an accent effect or in large formats for a WOW effect. Imagine these tiles as wainscoting on a bathroom wall, a kitchen, bath or wetbar backsplash, an accent stripe in a shower or tub surroud, a border for an area rug created out of tile, a mirror frame, an accent wall in a powder room, a wall plaque in a shower - imagine the possibilities!

These are just a sampling of the many unique and decorative products available from Waterworks. For more selections, check out their website.

We installed laminate floor in our home and have never mopped it, however I have damp clothed it w/a solution of the following:  in a 12 oz bottle I put in water and a cap of white vinegar - is this considered acceptable?

Answer:

For day to day maintenance an occasional damp mop, quick sweeping or light vacuuming with the hard floor attachments are usually all it takes to keep your laminate floor clean. Do not use soaps, detergents, or cleaners with wax because they may leave a film, dulling the floor. You can mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup vinegar or ½ cup of ammonia per gallon of water. Laminate floors must never be waxed, polished, sanded or refinished and never use a wet or jet mop when cleaning.

For more information on laminate maintenance: http://www.wfca.org/laminate/care.aspx

]]> http://floortalk.wfca.org/2009/03/25/cleaning-laminate-with-vinegar-reader-question/feed/ http://floortalk.wfca.org/2009/03/24/wilsonart-introduces-laminate-tiles/ http://floortalk.wfca.org/2009/03/24/wilsonart-introduces-laminate-tiles/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:11:40 +0000 shannonbilby http://floortalk.wfca.org/?p=653 Wilsonart Flooring has developed a new lineup of ‘Classic’ High Pressure Laminate (HPL) Flooring in a rectangular tile format that reflects one of the hottest style trends in both residential and commercial interiors.

With the subtle, luxurious look of travertine, Wilsonart Flooring’s new Rectangular Tiles deliver the same high level of color and shade variation found in nature. The tiles are available in three desert-inspired colorations that blend beautifully with today’s interiors.

“The rectangular format adds the ‘pop’ of high style to traditional interiors,” says Tammy Weadock, Wilsonart Flooring marketing manager. “The characteristics of travertine turn a room into a place of tranquility and relaxation.” These new designs come with a 20-year residential warranty for wear, fade, stain and topical moisture and a 5-year commercial warranty for wear, fade and stain.

Sonora Sage

A complex mix of dark and light brown, cream with gold highlights, and taupe throughout. This combination blends warm tones of chocolate and cool tones of grey together in one material.

Sahara Gold

Cream and gold are fused with light and dark browns to create a coloration that addresses the more traditional honey tones found in oak cabinetry.

Mojave Breeze

– The lightest of the three tiles, Mojave Breeze incorporates the warm/cool color trend combination, using taupe mingled with cream, beige and brown. This light floor would contrast nicely with espresso stained cabinetry.

“All Wilsonart Flooring is made using High Pressure Laminate (HPL) construction, versus the other residential products made from thin low pressure or Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL),” explains Weadock. “In comparison, the HPL wear surface atop Wilsonart Flooring is 3-5 times thicker than DPL. This thickness translates into superior impact and dent resistance, providing assurance against the demands of everyday life: dropped cans, heavy furniture, children and pets. Every product in the Wilsonart Flooring portfolio is applicable for commercial environments and as such, it remains the best-performing laminate flooring option for consumers seeking unsurpassed durability for their home.”

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.