Finding newsworthy home interior products is one of the most exciting aspects of being a designer.  Clients depend on our research and resources to deliver the latest innovations.  Here are some of the most recent “finds” that can spice up any design and solve problems:

SPA–LIKE LIGHTING –
(Courtesy of ASID ICON magazine)
NuTone® has introduced the Lunaura® collection bathroom lighting.  It’s the first to incorporate soothing blue LED night lighting with a powerful (yet incredibly quiet) Energy Star®-qualified ventilation fan.  Imagine adding this functional accessory to your master bath. It softly lights a room for safety and nighttime navigation, and at the same time creates a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere.  Your choice of a round or square green-tinted light panel, it gives the appearance of natural glass when off, becoming a soft blue hue when on.  It also includes a 36 watt fluorescent main task light for added function.

BABY CRIB LINENS –
Recommendations have changed over the years as to the use of bumper pads in cribs, and pediatricians now strongly discourage using them.  One creative manufacturer has designed the “Complete Sheet” for cribs.  Bold graphics are printed on the sides of each sheet, simulating the look of designer bumper pads. The printed graphics complement the colorful patterned tops and fine linen piping.  What a great idea to ensure baby’s safety without sacrificing style.  See for yourself at RosenberryRooms.com.  If you are fortunate enough to be decorating a nursery, be sure to also visit joycarpets.com to view some of the most COLORFUL child-themed carpets available (the perfect complement to those sweet new linens).

FLOORS WITH A HISTORY –
The popularity of hardwood floors shows no signs of waning.  The warmth and character of solid hardwoods contribute to their extreme popularity, and, of course, wood ages beautifully.  Specifying floors made from reclaimed woods can add yet another dimension.  Several American manufacturers specialize in the manufacture of hardwood floors made exclusively from reclaimed woods.  Old barns, wood-covered bridges, church structures—the search extends from coast to coast.  Carlisle Wide Plank Floors specializes in this.  They select the highest quality wood from old structures, then cut and mill it to perfection.  The result is an FSC-certified floor with remarkable character.  Check out www.wideplankflooring.com for more information.

BROADLOOM BEAUTIES –
Mohawk Carpet Mills has brought high-style design to their latest broadloom introductions.  Texture, texture, texture is the signature element common to their styling.  Karastan styles Knotted Weave, Harmonic Vibe and Plateau II are hot new examples of exactly what I’m talking about.  Natural colors in subtle, earth-inspired designs are warm and inviting.  Check it out at Karastan.com.

This is just a snapshot of some of the hot new products entering the design market. I could go on for pages…  Of course, floor coverings are an integral part of your interiors, but design is like a jigsaw puzzle.  All the pieces depend upon each other to create the total picture.  When those pieces fit together perfectly, your “picture” becomes a work of art.

Several blogs ago, I outlined the top color trends and trend drivers for 2012.  One major development was the fact that consumers have become much more comfortable living with color.  We are consistently exposed to global colors through fashion, the internet, and of course, HGTV.   Given the predictions, it’s pretty exciting to be able to report to you a real-world example of this key color driver.

Il Palazzo is a newly-remodeled, luxury townhome project in downtown San Diego.  Its proximity to Little Italy and its higher-elevation ocean views make this property a stand-out.  But what really adds to the Old World charm is the continental color palette utilized inside and out.  The models I toured were unfurnished, but the courageous use of color more than compensated for no furnishings.  Well-chosen finishes (from floors to countertops to ceilings) gave an ambience of high luxury.  Let’s take a look at some of those finishes and color harmonies to see how they worked their magic.

KITCHEN – The chef-friendly kitchens featured a transitional design style.  Not quite contemporary and not quite traditional, this design mode walks a fine line.  It’s a hybrid style that is more linear than traditional and appeals to a large segment of the market.  Granite countertops add to the upscale look.  The designer chose stainless steel appliances and achieved a great continuity by adding a metallic tile backsplash.  The colors chosen for kitchen and family room were a warm taupe and vibrant blue/green (Reference color “X-hale” from the 2012-2013 color forecast).

BATH – The transitional cabinetry was carried into the bathrooms. Flooring for kitchens and baths was Amtico’s LVT, Linear Metallic Steel.  This dramatic floor gave each space a sophisticated look, and the large format tiles (18” x 18”) visually expanded the space.  Just a hint of metallic sparkle in the tiles added an element of luxury.

BEDROOMS – Different shades of taupe were used on walls, soffets, and ceilings. Ceilings were finished with a beautiful crown moulding. The monochromatic use of color added interest and character to each bedroom, without sacrificing the restful feel.  The darkest shade of taupe was used on the ceilings!  Does that shock you just a little?  I hope so, because it was fun and unexpected.

Let’s talk about the exterior color scheme for a moment.  If you’ve travelled to Italy, you  know that their cities are a visual feast of warm, rich colors.  Taking a lesson from the life-loving Italians, the façade of Il Palazzo is an artistic mix of unexpected colors.  (Take a look for yourself at the pictures included in this article.)  Deep and mid-toned violets work in harmony along side a true green, sunny yellow and rusty orange.  Wow!  That combination took guts and the risk paid off. The impact is memorable, and each vibrant color helps define the architecture.

If you have any doubt about color’s power to define spaces, Il Palazzo provides a real-life example.  If you just happen to be a life-long lover of color, design or architecture, downtown San Diego is a field trip well worth taking.  Treat yourself to dinner in Little Italy (just a block away).  Colorful surroundings, authentic Italian cuisine and a glass of crisp Chianti–who could ask for more?

We have all seen the fashion make-over shows that take dowdy, non-model types and magically transform them into ingénues.  It’s always amazing to me that hair, make-up and wardrobe can entirely transform a woman.  As a matter of fact, I’ve seen several glamorous stars WITHOUT their makeup, and that, too, is pretty astounding.  Well let’s parlay this make-over phenomenon into how it might relate to the floor covering industry.

If you are a retail store owner or sales professional, you are in the fashion business.  You are regarded as an expert in the very foundation of home interiors.  Floor coverings set the tone for every design.  It isn’t just the products and product knowledge that you have to offer.  It’s also how you present your physical space.  Of course, neat, clean and orderly are a given.  But attention to just a few other guidelines will make a huge difference.

I visited J.B. Woodward Floors in Riverside, California just before Christmas of 2011.  This three generation, family-owned store has been in business since 1961.  Much of their clientele comes by referral after so many years of service, but still, they realize how important it is to stay fresh and current in today’s competitive market.  Kim Wollman and Pam Whittlsey jointly manage the business and are proud to be a long-standing member of the World Floor Covering Association.  Kim let me know they have been members for over 20 years!  She stated how useful the wfca.org website has been for them from an information standpoint.  Also, Pam’s daughter was a recipient of a WFCA-sponsored scholarship.  Both Kim and Pam felt their liaison with WFCA has added to their business credibility.

In mid-December, Woodward’s was in the middle of a showroom make-over and used the time between Christmas and New Year’s for the “facelift”.   As is so often the case, their  showroom had become overly packed with too many (non-productive) displays devouring valuable floor space.  The first step was a careful evaluation of the amount of sales each display had generated over the last 6 to 12 months.  That should be the yardstick every retailer uses to decide what stays and what goes.  Woodward’s realized they had to reduce their displays significantly, and they did just that.

Next, they decided to make good use of their window exposure to showcase cozy vignettes to draw in drive-by customers.  A small piece of furniture (for example a wing chair with an interesting side table and reading lamp) with a beautiful floor covering that can even extend up a faux wall behind the display, will get great attention.  Get creative and colorful and be sure to keep it well lit at night.  It will advertise your business for you after hours.

Owners (sisters-in-law) Kim and Pam then carefully added several new displays to update their product selections.  They didn’t have the luxury of “space” to do that before the remodel plan.  From the newer displays they chose which floor coverings they would install on their floor.  This is a very important decision.  Choose unique, livable products to showcase, and select products in the medium to high price range.  These are the products you want to sell, and for customers who can’t visualize from small samples, seeing them on your floor usually results in higher sales.  If you are questioning: why higher-end products in this economy? I have an answer for you.  Marketing trends validate that remodeling projects are significantly on the upswing.  The baby boomer generation, especially, wants to invest in QUALITY products and plan to follow the “once and done” plan.  They will choose and invest in something they really love with the intention of keeping it long-term.  You can always sell down, but why not start out in the higher price range?  You’ll surprise yourself with what is possible.

The next step in this remodel saga was developing a workable space plan.  If you need to hire a designer for a few hours of consultation time, do that.  It is well worth it to have a professional figure out your display-to-floor space ratio and find the best way to lay that out.  Taller displays should be reserved for perimeter locations.  Create roomy walk-through areas (preferably on the diagonal) throughout the interior space of your showroom, using displays that are at eye level.  Add lighting to be sure all areas are well-lit for product selection.  And finally, include one or two comfortable work tables (you can use pub-style tables and chairs for a touch of fun) so you and your customers have an inviting area to work in.

When all is said and done, the time and effort that goes into a remodel is well spent.  Your customers will appreciate the end result, not to mention that this workplace, where you spend so many of your hours, will be much more enjoyable.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association is one of the leading sources in the industry for tracking current trends in this specialized area of design.   They use their strong membership base to provide real-life information as to what they are experiencing in design preferences across the country.  Given that credible source of their information, I’d like to share with you their most recent findings.

The most important trend that emerged from their member survey was quite startling.  For years, traditional kitchen designs have reigned as number one in popularity.  This is the first time ever that they are reporting an upset here.  Transitional design has moved into the number one spot by a slim margin.  Transitional is a “hybrid” design style that combines both traditional and contemporary design elements.  NKBA described it as, “”typified by lines that are simpler than traditional, but a bit more elaborate than contemporary in order to create a modern classic look.”  I think that describes it perfectly.

In my design experience, I see this as a natural evolution merging two great styles into one design.  It gives the designer (and client) more latitude in combining materials, finishes, and architectural details.  But more importantly, it results in a highly dramatic and interesting design.  The other design styles that followed Transitional and Traditional ranked in this order:  Contemporary, Shaker, Arts & Crafts, and Cottage.

Let’s talk about the next big topic that always comes up in K & B designs, and that would be wood species and wood finish choices.  Here’s the report card from most-used to least-used reported by the NKBA survey members:
WOOD SPECIES WOOD FINISHES
1.    Maple and Cherry (both vying for 1st place)          Dark Natural Finishes
2.    Walnut                                                                          Mix of Dark  & Light Natural Finishes
3.    Oak                                                                               (creates good tonal contrast)
4.    Birch                                                                              Medium Natural Finishes
5.    Alder                                                                              Painted Finishes (White most popular)
6.    Bamboo                                                                         Distressed Finishes

These rankings are not static by any means.  The percentages are shifting yearly as to the position of each of these woods and how frequently designers are specifying them.  That can only be interpreted as designers embracing the individuality of each project.  Lesser-used woods are being specified more often too, so we may see these rankings change even more over the next year.  More information can be found at NKBA.org.

Lighting continues to factor significantly in K & B designs.  Compact fluorescent lighting is on the decline, mainly because of the poor quality and color of light it produces.  Incandescent lighting has bans imposed on it as we look for more energy-efficient alternatives.  This brings us to the number one ranked lighting choice by 70% of the NKBA designers surveyed:  LED lighting.  It is expected that LED’s will continue to grow in specification ranking.

If you are on the verge of planning your own kitchen or bath design, hopefully, this blog will help bolster some of your big decisions.  It’s always exciting to get an inside view as to what the professionals are doing.  The key word in all of this is “individuality”.  Good design is not rigid by any means.  Successful design always shows off YOUR personality.  So have fun with it!!!

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.