FABULOUS FLOORS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013 by Fabulous Floors Magazine

PORCELAIN

L A M I N AT E

Palisades in weathered ridge

Sawmill Hickory in natural

ADURA®

Linea in graphite

We took the next level to the next level. SOBELLA™

Majesty in dark forest

HARDWOOD

mannington.com/residential

Lexington Hickory in mustang

1-800-FLOOR-US

International Edition No. 38 | 2013 Welcome to the Summer 2013 issue of FABULOUS FLOORS, a consumer magazine

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURE STORIES

17 WHY UNDERLAYMENT FOR LAMINATE AND ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING?

CARPET COUTURE

Crisp! Fresh! Robust! Classic! It’s what you expect in today’s carpet.

Magnolia Tile in Ash from Florida Tile

On the cover: A video montage of Smartstrand and AmorMax sponsored by Mohawk.

ON THE BOARDS

Cultivating New Looks! Now, laminate is not only strong and flourishing, it’s also a fixture on the design landscape. 20

COOL TOOLS

Useful and fun places for information on the World Wide Web!

BAMBOO TO YOU!

Bamboo has become a popular option because of its sustainability and contemporary look. Lumber Liquidators has expanded its bamboo choices! 29

FABULOUS THINGS DO COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

Wood mosaics in rosewood, teak and solid bamboo. Think of the design possibilities! 31 CENTURY-OLD PRODUCT FOR MODERN-DAY FLOORS

Discover Osmo’s Natural Finish Magic. 35

WHAT IS FIBERGLASS VINYL?

Armstrong’s Duality. Beautiful, durable and antimicrobial. A floor that has it all!

FIND FLOORING FAST

A Buyers Guide to what’s inside this issue. 80

DESIGNER’S WALK

Use your personal style to create the perfect outdoor living space. 68

The restoration and reclamation of an old factory into the Highland Towers Apartments in Pittsburgh.

UNDERFOOT

Fall in love with area rugs… The right rug can make all the difference in your decorating scheme. 58

23 REFINED, FUNCTIONAL, ELEGANT and HISTORIC

TILE IN STYLE

Follow the fantasy… in the world of tile, novel is simply the norm. 52

Laminate flooring can set the stage for the room of your dreams. Courtesy of the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA).

ALWAYS RESILIENT

A new generation of designers has turned a new fashion eye to a new generation of innovative resilient flooring options. 44

18 WHAT IS LAMINATE FLOORING?

WOODN’T IT BE NICE

Wood Floors Add Beauty and Value. One of the items that can add significant value to your home is wood flooring. 33

Learn the importance of the proper underlayment to create a truly fabulous floor.

WHAT LIES BENEATH

The importance of underlayment for your resilient floor . 46 YOU’D SWEAR YOU WERE IN A SOUTHERN-STYLE PLANTATION

Introducing Magnolia HDP High Definition Porcelain™ from Florida Tile. 56 MAKE ROOM FOR SUMMER

Things to consider when designing your outdoor space. 67 FOCUS ON STAIRCASES!

Don’t hide them… feature them! 70 IT’S PICTURE PERFECT… Sheep on the hills, wool on the floor.

Learn more about wool’s many benefits and the latest from the Campaign for Wool.

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SPRING 2013

Welcome to our digital world…

Elizabeth Andrews

point of view |

…the first all-digital edition of Fabulous Floors Magazine! With this issue we are taking the first step to a completely interactive format by unlocking the power of current technology to bring you cutting-edge design and decision-making tools. You will be able to read digital Fabulous Floors on your mobile phone, e-reader, tablet, laptop or desktop. We’ve hyperlinked resources, so all you have to do is click. Fabulous Floors Digital is easy to navigate by using the table of contents that makes diving into the content virtually effortless. I want you to have a lean-back, convenient reading experience, rather than search for content as with a conventional website. I am very proud of our video front and back covers! How cool are they? Fabulous Floors is the first design magazine to use these covers. Hats off to our designers! Despite the new method of delivery, the depth of content and information, amazing photography and can-do advice remain central to Fabulous Floor’s message. This issue is devoted to giving you ideas and showing you how you can decorate your own home using carpet, wood, tile, laminate, rugs, resilient and precious designer materials like cork and bamboo. We deliver on the promise of the possibilities, illustrating what you can actually do in your own home. Now’s the perfect time to get inspired! One message should be clear as you read through these pages: There is always something new. It may be a new product or a new technology that enhances the look or performance of your favorite flooring fashion. Or it may be a new vision from a designer which presents a whole new world of possibilities for what you can do in your own home. Here’s To New Beginnings. Margo Locust Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

floors fabulous

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2013 No.38

Subscribe online! www.fabulousfloorsmagazine.com Margo RODGERS Locust Publisher & Editor-In-Chief margo@fabulousfloorsmag.com Lisbeth Calandrino Associate Publisher & Director of Social Media lcalandrino@nycap.rr.com Ron Toelke Creative Director ron@toelkeassociates.com Marsha Howland Senior Editor MARTINA BRANDT Administrative Assistant EMMANUEL LOCUST Director Trade Show & Event Operations Emmanuel@fabulousfloorsmag.com BARBARA KEMPLER-TOELKE Editorial Assistant Ray Stewart Production Manager ray@stewart-comm.com ANN SEAY Director of Special Projects and Industry Partnerships ann@fabulousfloorsmag.com Alexander & Associates Newsstand Director KRISTEN JOSEPH ISAAC Webmaster & Developer of New Media webmaster@fabulousfloorsmag.com SPECIAL FEATURE WRITERS BRIDGETTE KELLY Contributing Writer, UK ALEX ROSS fabfloorsalex@gmail.com JEANETTE CHASWORTH Jeanette@thecolorwhisperer.com SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS EA O’Connell, Marsha Howland, FJ Quinn, Paul Friederichsen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Don Rountree, Bethany Richmond, Roy Reichow, Robert Blochinger, Susan Bang, Ellen Young, Seth S. Rodgers, Marjorie Dunning, Jasmine Grey, Betty Isaacson, Christina Demers

 Sonna Calandrino  Founder and Publisher Emerita Editorial & Advertising Offices PO Box 2166, Dalton, GA 30722 678.761.5002 FABULOUS FLOORS MAGAZINE is published quarterly by Fabulous Floors Magazine, LLC, PO Box 2166 Dalton, GA 30722, a Georgia LLC. Fabulous Floors assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photos, images or artwork. The FABULOUS FLOORS logo is a trademark of Fabulous Floors Magazine, LLC. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and timeliness of information, FABULOUS FLOORS cannot be held responsible for discrepancies, discontinuance of product nor color reproduction.

INDUSTRY PARTNER

Full-text content licensed to EBSCO Publishing research databases at www.ebscohost.com.

FABULOUSfloors

Harmony™ Take a design passion and make it a lifestyle expression, with Harmony™ by Marazzi USA. Bold linear slashes of colored grains immediately draw your attention. A color-body porcelain tile, HARMONY™ brings you a unique modern, exotic wood look for every room. www.marazzitile.com

SPRING 2013

carpet couture |

FABULOUSfloors

Opposite page: From Stanton, maker of some of the world’s finest, softest, most durable and detailed patterned 100 percent wool carpets, comes Aylin in Camel.

By Jasmine Grey

Crisp! Fresh! Robust! Classic!

Left and background: Sand from the Miami Collection from Nourison. (See room scene on pages 8 and 9.) Below: Enjoy the simple elegance of Mohawk SmartStrand’s Comfortably Classic in Corkboard.

fter some drab economic times, carpet is putting on a fresh face — distinct colors (both subtle and bold), evocative patterns, appealing textures and softness you have to feel to believe.

And where “value-added” is an expectation of today’s consumer, you will find durability, savings and Earth friendliness. >>

SUMMER 2013

carpet couture |

Carpet Is a Glorious Opportunity to Explore The difference between carpet today and that from a generation ago is that carpet selection these days is personal. With a seemingly endless number of choices among color, texture, patterns and fiber content, there’s no excuse for following the crowd. Isn’t it time to embrace the option of carpet as a way to break through conventional décor choices and free us to be more individual and upbeat with our décor? Interior designers love carpet for its versatility — color, texture and fashion. Plus, the use of carpet creates a continuous, flowing design from room to room and floor to floor. >> Below: Adding a warm and inviting ambiance to any living space, Trinidad from Godfrey Hirst creates a sense of charm with modern style. An updated sisal loop, Trinidad’s muted tones embrace the Earth’s terrain and brings it to the home. Available in five color ways, shown here in Twine, Trinidad is 100% Pure New Zealand Wool.

FABULOUSfloors

Above: Bring home the casual coastal style of Block Island by Creations™ and set your sails for true sophistication. A soothing combination of comfort and fashion, this softly textured carpet is perfect for rooms dedicated to the indulgences of rest and relaxation. Below: Set the mood of your room with exquisite softness underfoot with Custom Weave Bryson Canyon Turquois Splash.

Stain and odor protection you can’t see. Style and beauty you can’t miss.

STAINMASTER® carpet and STAINMASTER® carpet cushion are the perfect combination for beautiful floors. The famous stain resistance of STAINMASTER® carpet protects from the top, while STAINMASTER® carpet cushion provides additional protection underneath. By keeping liquids above the cushion, STAINMASTER® carpet cushion manufactured by Carpenter Company with Odor Guard Technology allows spills to be more thoroughly cleaned while helping to reduce or eliminate odors caused by pet accidents as well as most food and beverage spills. For more information on the ultimate carpet system and how it can extend your STAINMASTER® carpet limited warranties, call 1-800-438-7668 or visit stainmaster.com.

SUMMER 2013

carpet couture |

Making Friends with Color Color! It’s important to make friends with color early on in your carpet search. You may be thinking neutral, but neutral goes way beyond beige! Fiber makers and manufacturers now deliver the broadest selections of colors ever. Ultimately, the big thing carpet projects is color. Changes in fiber technology have made it possible for us to use lighter-colored fibers and not have to worry about stains — fiber technology allows carpets to repel stains! Carpets like Mohawk SmartStrand Silk, Dream Weaver Carpet, Bliss Indulgence from Beaulieu and Caress from Shaw, all offering the latest in softness and luxury with the ultimate in stain, fade and wear technologies. (See featured editorial on these brands within the pages of this section.) >>

‘This Ain’t Your Momma’s Polyester Carpet’

Left: Simplesse in Driftwood Teak Luxury Vinyl Tile from Mohawk. Below: Vinyl Sheet Flooring from Armstrong’s Duality Premium Plus Collection, shown here in Bandelier Flint; this floor has all the bells and whistles! Fiberglass MasterWorks Technology 3D with VTx and CleanSweep G with Antimicrobial protection. For more information, visit www.armstrong.com.

That’s because Dream Weaver is anything but old-fashioned, with the styling and durability features people want in their carpet. Dream Weaver’s polyester carpet fiber actually is its own PureColor™ solution dyed fiber. Why is that so important? The carpet color (which is the first thing you pick in your new carpet) is built into every fiber. It won’t fade. It won’t wear off. And it will even withstand spot cleaning with a water and bleach solution — the color is that permanent! And because polyester fiber is inherently stain resistant, there’s no need to worry about the occasional accident. Your Dream Weaver carpet stays looking new. You don’t even have to worry about those muddy shoes or an overturned flower pot, because every Dream Weaver carpet comes with Soil Shield™. It’s one of the best soil protection systems for repelling soils and dirt for easier vacuuming. With the Dream Weaver Pure Soft Cashmere carpet collection, it’s also a safe bet your momma’s carpet was never so luxuriously soft and supple, either. Dream Weaver uses a special process to make its unique carpet fiber super soft. Feeling is definitely believing! Check out Dream Weaver carpet at DWcarpet.com.

FABULOUSfloors

Left: Sand from the Miami Collection from Nourison is a faceto-face woven on state-of-the-art Wilton looms and features Nourison’s exclusive Woolsoft™ fiber for softness and durability. (Woolsoft™ is a blend of 70% premium wool and 30% olefin.) Yarns are specially dyed for an antique “abrash” effect and a revolutionary “hand-embossing” technique for textural depth.

Add some ambiance with the classic style of Satin Dreams from Shaw’s Eco Choice Collection, shown here in Taupe Tone.

Bliss Indulgence™ is the softest carpet with the ultimate in performance. New for 2013 from Beaulieu of America is Bliss Indulgence™, a luxuriously soft carpet made from Beaulieu’s exclusive 100 percent PermaSoft® solution dyed nylon carpet fiber that’s color fast and stain resistant. “Bliss Indulgence is elegant, incredibly soft and durable enough to spot-clean with a 50 percent solution of household bleach and water,” observed Ralph Boe, CEO of the carpet maker. “This is truly a carpet for someone who wants to ‘indulge’ in an ultra-soft nylon fiber.” Additional features include Beaulieu’s Magic Fresh® treatment that reduces household odors and an exclusively formulated Scotchgard® Protector treatment by 3M. The Bliss Indulgence collection also introduces Wrinkle Guard™ Protection that guarantees “lays flat stays flat” performance and the Bliss Serenity Guarantee™ package of protection This includes a Lifetime NoExclusion Stain Removal Warranty in addition to other category-leading warranties for complete consumer peace of mind. ■

Bliss Indulgence by Beaulieu from the Caressa Collection.

SUMMER 2013

carpet couture | Patterns are popular, be they the return of big patterns or those small and rather bold ones. Up to the last few years, patterns were used pretty much exclusively in grand hotel lobbies or your favorite bed and breakfast. Carpet patterns are coming home now because they remind of us of a gentler, more sophisticated time. All of these innovations in the carpet industry mean dazzling designs for your home. Crisp colors. Fresh patterns. Robust wear. Classic elegance. ■

SmartStrand® Silk™ — Luxuriously Soft with Exceptional Durability SILKY, LUXURIOUS SOFTNESS… Comfort You’ll Love Comfort is a primary reason consumers choose carpet as a floor covering. SmartStrand Silk unlocks a new level of comfort with the most softness available. Smooth, luxurious SmartStrand® Silk™ with DuPont™ Sorona® from Mohawk provides more deluxe softness, more comfort and more home enjoyment. It offers the perfect balance of total relaxation and trusted reliability. ● Luxuriously Soft with Exceptional Durability ● Built-in Lifetime Stain and Soil Resistance, Not Topically Applied ● Protection that Never Wears or Washes off ● Easy to Clean with Just Water; No Chemicals Required ● Environmentally Friendly Because it’s Made from Renewable Resources ● Rated #1 in Customer Satisfaction

Why buy carpet…? FASHION. Carpet offers thousands of BEAUTIFUL choices in countless patterns, styles, fibers and COLORS to customize any palette for your home. As a textile, carpet is VERSATILE and makes for very PERSONAL and FLEXIBLE custom design statements. Carpet can be installed over unfinished and many finished floors, economically hiding many irregularities. DESIGNERS say it’s “IN” to pair it with wood, tile, laminate and luxury vinyl/resilient — even other carpet styles. Carpet is invitingly WARM and SOFT to look at. It’s also literally warm and soft to walk on, especially paired with the RIGHT CUSHION, and it’s a sound and thermal insulator. The new generation of fibers makes carpet VERY DURABLE and EASY TO CLEAN and MAINTAIN. WARRANTIES usually outlast your fashion tastes. Though elegant and luxurious, carpet can be LESS COSTLY to purchase and install than many hard surfaces, making carpet a sensible option, quick and economical to redecorate with as your tastes change. There’s a GREEN side to carpet. It helps to make a healthy home by trapping allergens for easy vacuuming. Wool actually helps modulate heat and moisture in the atmosphere and acts as a thermal/sound barrier. Increasingly, manufacturers are producing carpet from renewable or recyclable resources.

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Above: Mohawk SmartStrand Summer Getaway Country in Cream Beige.

FABULOUSfloors

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3/29/13 10:47 AM

on the boards |

By Lisbeth Calandrino, Associate Publisher

Cultivating new looks

decade or so ago, laminate flooring was just starting to take root here in America after having established itself well in Europe.

Now, laminate is not only strong and flourishing, it is also a fixture on the design landscape. Technology has delivered laminate flooring for every taste, from wood and stone to custom designs, and in all kinds of formats, from tile to plank. (A new technology is emerging that can eliminate one step in the making of laminate. Right now, the most common and proven method of production is the use of a photographic paper top layer that is then applied and protected with a top wear layer, which is what you see. Recently introduced is a method of directly applying materials like wood fibers and melamine to the laminate piece and at the same time providing for effects we all like, such as embossing, bevels and grooves and gloss levels.) The latest trends in laminate are wood and toward longer and wider planks for the design look of natural hardwood and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called embossed-in-register, a technique which so accurately imprints and textures laminate that it looks like the real thing; even weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been fooled by some products.>> 12

FABULOUSfloors

Inspired by the black walnut plank, Antique Walnut from the Restoration by Mannington wasfantasy-like designed At left: Splashes of Collection color and shimmer dance over this to bring out the lustergives andangrain patterns tile. Manhattan fromradiant Mannington eclectic feel; thisunique pattern to amesh black walnut hardwood floor. Shown inaccents. the will well with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contemporary looks andhere home color Bruce Curry, this floor features micro-beveled edges, ain Here, Laminate 5-inch wide, from the Reserve Collection, Hickory Harvest. 25-yearBarley warranty and made-in-the-USA credentials!

SUMMER 2013

on the boards |

he strongest trend in terms of laminate looks has been wood; that is reflective of the popularity of hardwood over the past decade, from the American traditionals like oak, hickory and maple to the international exotics like Brazilian cherry and merbau or even mixed-species collections.

Barrington in color Barnwood Oak from Mohawk.

FABULOUSfloors

As the surface fashion options proliferate, so do the treatments offered by laminate. Pretty much what you can find in hardwood you can find in laminate. Nowadays you can find looks of high-gloss, oil-rubbed finishes or the rustic look of just-sawn or recently reclaimed vintage wood, right down to the saw marks and nail holes or any distressed look youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d expect to find in a hardwood reclaimed from a 150-year-old building. How about the look of hand-scraped wood, reminiscent of European artisans, beveled edges and the hot look of smoked wood or antiqued stained wood? Think of not only the look you can achieve but also the flexibility of installation designs as you mix and match species, use planks up to 7 feet long and from 3 to 7 inches wide. (Just remember to buy from the same manufacturer to ensure that the locking mechanisms and plank or tile thicknesses are consistent.)

As the surface fashion options proliferate, so do the treatments offered by laminate.

At left: The Quadra Collection, Mocha Latte Tiles from Quickstep. Below and at right: Pergo Elegant Expressions Wide Plank in Walton Applewood.

SUMMER 2013

on the boards |

hy not experiment with mixed media — for example, mixing wood with the look of tile or stone for one of the latest trends in flooring design? If you have not experienced the new laminate, do yourself a favor. Go to your flooring retailer and ask to see some of the new pickings, which will include the latest in locking systems for a virtually seamless floor; moisture, mildew and bacteria resistance; and the absolute latest in sound reduction systems. While you’re at it, ask to look at some of the products that turn your laminate floor into an example of craftsmanship… trim. There is a host of trims and accessories to match or coordinate with your laminate for the kind of detail you want in your home. Any of these areas of growth can make laminate an attractive choice for your home, but when taken together it’s obvious why interior designers are making laminate an option for highstyling homes. 

Background: Armstrong’s Premium Lustre collection in Adrift Pine. Right: The Provencial Collection from Shaw offers hand-scraped texture in maple and walnut styles. Pictured here is Chateau in Brittany Walnut, a gorgeous scarred walnut look with subtle, time-worn French-bleed edges that are shadowy and gently modulated.

FABULOUSfloors

Why underlayment for laminate and engineered wood flooring?

onsidering laminate or a floating engineered floor for your home? If so, you’ll need to add acoustical underlayment to your installation. Most people don’t know how important this is and how underlayment contributes to a “fabulous” floor.

First, know that acoustical underlayment is installed under wood or laminate floors to provide a foundation that helps, first, to even out the subfloor for a smooth surface. Second, and more important, underlayment absorbs sound, so you can enjoy indoor living to the fullest. Why is noise reduction so important? Depending on the home’s and product’s constructions, that new floor can sound noisy, or even hollow. Lower-cost floors can sound quite noisy from one floor to another in multistory buildings. There are many acoustical underlayments on the market. Like all products, you get what you pay for. So…buyer beware. Premium underlayments are usually tested in accredited laboratories and are noise-reduction rated. A premium underlayment costs only pennies per foot more, but in the end will deliver more years of a much quieter environment. Inexpensive underlayments add little to no value to your installation. Discuss underlayment with your flooring pro. If possible, do “walk tests” to try out different products. Many premium underlayments also offer a moisture barrier and a lip-and-tape seam sealer to provide moisture protection from both moisture below, as from concrete, and spills that will occur from above. Like oil and water, moisture and wood or wood-based laminate products are not good companions. Many underlayments also are treated for mold and mildew resistance. Look for quality underlayments that are “green;” for example, made from recycled materials like rubber tires and high-density, rubber-based and frothed polyurethanes, all of which would be Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label tested and approved for low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Such underlayments are easily purchased and installed by either a do-it-yourselfer or a professional installer. Your flooring investment, even a modest one, can be a big one and important to you and your family.

So, whether you want to make an inexpensive floor sound expensive or prevent a top-quality floor from sounding like a low-end floor, know that an acoustical underlayment is one big factor that can ensure your total satisfaction for the long life of this type of flooring. 

SUMMER 2013

on the boards |

What is Laminate Flooring?

concrete

Your Dream Room Starts Here

slate

A beautiful laminate floor can set the stage for the room of your dreams. From exotic to traditional, richly detailed to sleek and smooth, laminate floors offer authentic beauty and handcrafted details that can transform a room.

stone

What Exactly is Laminate Flooring? NALFA Certified laminate flooring is comprised of a hybrid of materials fused together through a unique lamination process.

exotic

cherry

hickory

maple

A. A transparent, protective wear layer is highly resistant to dogs, cats, chairs, and even high heels. B. The decorative layer provides a high definition, highly detailed image. Today’s laminate flooring manufacturers have the technology and capability to realistically simulate everything from hardwood to marble to stone. C. A high-density fiberboard core (or HDF) offers impact resistance, stability and long-lasting durability. D. A layer comprised of melamine resin offers additional structural stability and moisture resistance. E. Underlayment (which may or may not be built into the laminate floor product) is a requirement for any installation. It’s helpful in absorbing some of the minor imperfections in the sub-floor, reducing some noise when walking on the floor, and softening some of the impact. Some underlayments also offer a moisture barrier on one side, which is a good idea for bathroom and wet area installations. Laminate flooring is easy to install because it requires no glue or fasteners to the subfloor. Instead, it uses a lock and click installation method and“floats” above the subfloor, allowing it to expand and contract with the natural temperature and humidity changes in your home. Design and decorating communities have embraced laminate flooring because of its limitless design potential. In fact, laminate flooring today is a medium unto itself. The variety of rich, innovative product designs create an atmosphere of sophisticated beauty in addition to long-term durability. This versatility, combined with a host of other benefits, is quickly making laminate floors one of the most popular and affordable options for homeowners and renovators today. ■ 18

FABULOUSfloors

oak

pine Common laminate finishes

About NALFA The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) was formed in 1997 by U.S. and Canadian manufacturers and importers of laminate flooring. Since its inception, NALFA has been dedicated to creating voluntary product performance standards for laminate flooring in North America. For more information, visit www.nalfa.com.

Why buy laminate…? This high-tech product is a flooring type all its own, delivering HIGH STYLE, DURABILITY and EASE OF INSTALLATION and MAINTENANCE. It’s available in strip, plank and tile formats for LIMITLESS DESIGNS in wood, ceramic and porcelain tile, stone — even textiles. Install at ANY LEVEL of your home, above or below grade. Explore numerous SPECIAL TREATMENTS like beveled edges, wide planks and hand-scraped surfaces in gloss levels ranging from matte to shiny and colors nature would envy. PERSONALIZE your laminate installation with contrasting borders or medallions. MIX with other laminate styles (say, wood with stone) or the real thing. It’s EASY TO GET AROUND ON, yet stands up to heavy traffic, remaining stain-, fade, crush- and scratch-resistant, thanks to extremely TOUGH WEAR LAYERS. Look for products with MATCHING TRIM and sound control, plus those with cores, backings and joints featuring moisture, bacteria, mildew, mold and static resistance, making some suitable for kitchens or baths. COSTS VARY, but the speed of glue-less, snap-together installation, even quickly under appliances and around islands, is where you’ll save most doing it yourself or bringing in a pro. Laminate also has a GREEN SIDE, using recycled and nature-based materials, including paper and aluminum oxide, and environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques.

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The Anderson-inspired Textured Expressions collection from Shaw is a striking pair of “hand-scraped” laminates that draw their inspiration from Anderson’s gorgeous hand-hewn hardwoods pictured here, Timberline in Peavey Grey offers unique texture — light, overall hand-scraping looks natural and upscale. An Anderson visual: A beautiful, casual hickory collection — rustic styles with cross-sawn marks, worm holes, and swirling heartwood. Realistic feel: 12mm thickness creates a floor that “walks” more like hardwood.

SUMMER 2013

woodn’t it be nice |

FABULOUSfloors

By Anita Howard Chief Operating Officer National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)

Wood Floors Add Beauty and Value

f you’re like most homeowners, your home represents your single largest investment, so it only makes sense that the items you put into it need to add value while meeting the needs of your family and your budget.

One of the items that can add significant value to your home is wood floors. Your local real estate listings likely provide all the proof you need. How many times do you see a listing that includes wood floors as one of the major selling features of the home, along with the number of bedrooms, remodeled bathrooms, and other luxury items like stainless steel appliances and granite countertops? The bottom line is that wood floors add value to your home, and now there is a study that quantifies that value, as well. >>

Opposite page: Exotic hardwoods grown outside tropical areas, like acacia and walnut, are gaining in popularity in the rustic hardwood flooring category. With homeowners looking for fresh and exciting home interior elements to make a personal statement about their style, Rustic Accents from Armstrong offer that one-of-a-kind floor these homeowners are looking for. Design Feature: The acacia species has an “active” grain that works well in a room with a natural and simple décor. The walnut also has active graining, but the color variation in this species is more quiet and subdued. Above: Brazilian Golden Patina Engineered Hardwood from Indus Parquet.

SUMMER 2013

woodn’t it be nice | The National Wood Flooring Association conducted a survey of real estate agents across the United States to determine the impact of hardwood flooring on a home’s appeal, sales potential and overall value. The results revealed that 99 percent of the real estate agents participating believe that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell. The reason for this is quite clear. Today’s home buyer expects more, and many items that were considered luxury options just a few decades ago are now considered essential to a home’s salability. Upgraded appliances, hard-surface flooring and professional landscaping are just a few examples of how home-buying trends have shifted, and how homes without these features are at a sales disadvantage. Another interesting result of the survey is that 82 percent of the real estate agents participating believe that homes with hardwood floors sell faster than homes without them. This indicates the value of hardwood floors as well, because homes that sell faster tend to sell closer to their asking price. Homes that sell faster result in more overall profits for their sellers, and if wood floors are able to help sell the home faster, they add to the overall value of the home. >>

Naturally dazzling is Rockford, shown here in Maple Brandy from Mohawk. This 5" solid hardwood creates originality and elegant simplicity in this sunny space.

FABULOUSfloors

Embrace elegant style and traditional beauty in a snap with this addition to the Inverness series from Mannington. Black Isle Hickory, shown here in walnut, combines subtle embossing, scraping, multiple stain layers and a fine drybrush print to create a one-of-a-kind product.

Refined, Functional, Elegant and Historic: The Highland Towers Apartments in Pittsburgh

A fireplace tucked in the corner radiates cozy charm.

BY SHERRY STOKES PHOTOS BY RICHARD MORGAN The Highland Towers apartments in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh are as refined and functional today as they were a century ago. Designed by Frederick G. Scheibler, Jr., this 36-unit building is deemed one of the finest examples of early American Modern Architecture. Thanks to the preservation efforts of Franklin West, Inc., which purchased the property in the early 1970s, Highland Towers was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This year marks its 100th anniversary. Scheibler, a famed Pittsburgh architect, shied away from 19th century conventions. Instead, he gleaned ideas from progressive art movements, such as Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement. Exposed beams, art-glass windows and hand-painted faux “mosaic tiles” punctuate the concrete walls in light-filled apartments. Mahogany and leaded glass doors set into built-in concrete cabinetry denote the attention to detail and quality that went into the building’s construction. Committed to maintaining the aesthetics of Scheibler’s design, Franklin West, Inc. has made great efforts to conserve as much of the original structure as possible. Throughout many of the units, floor plans remain intact, and tenants walk on warm, finished beech wood floors that were laid in place 100 years ago. Because of the diligence that Franklin West, Inc. exercises in maintaining this historic treasure, Highland Towers remains the elegant, urban respite that Scheibler intended. ■

Built-in concrete cabinetry and an arched fireplace provide functionality and create interest.

Below: Beech wood floors complement earth-toned glass, while a partition lends an open feel to an apartment’s floor plan. At bottom: Large art-glass windows provide natural light

Highland Towers Apartments is a prominent example of Frederick Scheibler’s work.

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woodn’t it be nice | Even more revealing about wood flooring adding value to a home is that 90 percent of the real estate agents responding believe that homes with hardwood floors sell for more money. How much more is a real indication of their actual value. Eighty-eight percent of the agents responding indicated that homes with hardwood floors sell for 1 percent to 10 percent more, while 12 percent of agents responding indicated that they sell for more than 10 percent more. To put these percentages into actual dollar amounts, let’s assume a house is valued at $242,300, which is the US Census data for the average cost of a US home as of October 2011, the last date the data were reported. If an owner of a home valued at $242,300 were to invest $10,000 in hardwood flooring, at an increased home sales value of 10 percent, the home potentially could sell for $266,530, more than doubling the homeowner’s initial wood flooring investment. That’s significant additional value.

A floor that has it all! Absorbs sound and impact, is warm and always resilient and it is eco-friendly. Cork in 36" × 12" planks, pictured here, Odysseus Natural from the Assortment Collection by APC Cork.

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Why buy wood…? Wood (including cork and bamboo!) makes a UNIQUE statement; no two pieces are ever alike in color or grain. It’s RICH IN NATURAL COLOR: browns, yellows, reds and blondes (and eminently colorable) in SHADES and TEXTURES to complement any palette and any MOOD, warm, cool or neutral. EASILY CUSTOMIZE a layout with a simple diagonal, herringbone or basket weave. Spice things up, drawing from NUMEROUS WIDTHS of a few inches up to a foot or more and CUSTOM LOOKS like beveled edges, hand-scraped surfaces and matte-to-gloss finishes. Size, color and sheen all impact the feel of a room, making it feel more spacious or cozier. Modern FINISHES are extremely hard and last a very long time. Don’t like a look? A simple sand and re-coat, perhaps a stain or paint, a contrasting wood border or inset or pairing with tile or stone will CHANGE a room dramatically at VERY LITTLE COST. Wood is an INVESTMENT. Solid wood lasts at least as long as your home. Engineered, a multi-ply version can be installed virtually anywhere in the home, even below grade. It’s GREEN, made from renewable, natural materials — even reclaimable once a home has outlived its usefulness. Look for wood flooring manufacturers who support forestry and environmental stewardship. Visit www.woodfloors. org for a certified installer.

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APC CORK EMBEDDED VIDEO HERE

APC CORK PRINT ADVERTISEMENT

SUMMER 2013

woodn’t it be nice | Durability is another important way that hardwood floors add value to your home. Wood floors can stand up to many decades of use when they are properly maintained. Consider the wood floors that are in many of our country’s historic homes and buildings. These floors have endured hundreds of years of use and are still beautiful and serviceable today. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders publishes a report of “How Long Things Last” for homeowners. While other flooring options generally have a life expectancy of about a decade before having to be replaced entirely, wood flooring’s estimated life was listed at 100-plus years. That’s because wood floors are the only flooring option that can be renewed numerous times throughout their service life. >>

Left: Shaw American Restoration hardwood offers the look and feel of rustic, shabby-chic wood flooring in engineered planks for increased versatility in construction. Here: Inspired by an atmosphere unique to coastal living, Anderson’s Coastal Art™ suite of hardwood floors from the Vintage Collection offers distinctive colors and textures evoking memories of time spent by the sea. Recall the wide planks of the boardwalk, the curative effects of the salt air, the play of light on a rippling ocean. Enjoy the art of the coastal lifestyle.

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Bamboo to You!

Courtesy of Lumber Liquidators

o you like the eco-friendly qualities and unique appearance of bamboo? Whether you are a homeowner or homebuilder, now you have new options that set the standard for quality, thanks to an expansion of Lumber Liquidators’ premier brand of Bellawood Prefinished Hardwood Flooring. Bamboo has become a popular option because of its sustainability and contemporary look. Because bamboo is a grass, not a wood, it grows far more quickly than a regular tree and produces new shoots without the need for replanting. Like other products in the Bellawood portfolio, the new Bellawood Bamboo flooring features a finish so durable that it comes with a transferrable 100-year warranty. Bellawood Bamboo is meticulously crafted using Bellawood’s exclusive ThermO2 process that elevates its color while creating a more stable floor. Plus, its ultra-strand construction offers a smoother texture than typical strand bamboo floors. Lumber Liquidators offers three Bellawood Bamboo Prefinished Flooring options: Golden Ultra-Strand Bamboo, Bronze Ultra-Strand Bamboo and Spice Ultra-Strand Bamboo. Lumber Liquidators also recently expanded its portfolio of Bellawood Prefinished Solid Exotic Hardwood Flooring to include Red Cumaru, Patagonian Rosewood, Patagonian Cherry and Bolivian Rosewood. ■

Bellawood Bronze Ultra-Strand Bamboo from Lumber Liquidators.

Above, top to bottom: Bellawood Ultra-Strand Bamboo in Bronze, Golden, and Spice.

SUMMER 2013

woodn’t it be nice | Wood floors have the additional value of being timeless. They can adapt to many different decorating styles and can even be stained, distressed or hand-scraped to change their overall appearance without replacing the original material. >> At right: Olde Dutch from The Chateau Collection® from Du Chateau,creates the same time worn look that showcases the character and longevity of a hardwood floor with, natural changing grain patterns exemplifying true vintage artistic design. The typical free-form elements of natural wood are what give The Chateau Collection® floors their unique character and exceptional beauty. Below: Today’s wood flooring means thinking outside the box. A study in sophistication, this one-strip oak, Pearl from Kahrs Supreme Shine Collection, features a white pearl shimmer.

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“Fabulous” things do come in small packages BY Seth Rodgers

Mosaics in rosewood, teak and solid bamboo. Think of the fabulous interior design possibilities! By partnering with a small furniture company, Fortis Arbor reclaims materials like rosewood and teak from sustainably harvested, plantation-grown lumber which is too small to be used in fine furniture making. Each tile is cut and finished by hand at the company‘s Chicago studio. Every installation is unique because each piece is. Wood tiles are handcrafted from solid bamboo, teak and rosewood. The three woods were chosen not only for their pleasing color range, but also for their strength and durability.

Rosewood: Rosewood — in Cantonese Wong-fa-lee and in Thai Pradauk — gets its Western name from its incredibly vibrant red color, which is similar to but richer than cherry and mahogany.

Teak: Ancient Eastern civilizations prized teakwood as a valuable resource, and its characteristics continue to make teak a prime choice for shipbuilding. Teak flooring from old ships was recycled into park benches for European cities. Some is centuries old.

Bamboo: Actually a grass plant, bamboo has been used by the Japanese for thousands of years for everything from simple tools to home building. It is only recently that the technology to turn bamboo into a veneer board of incredible stability and hardness has been realized. Because wood is a living material and continues to expand and contract with the environment, the most successful installations require a proprietary Fortis Arbor grout system that is waterproof and nontoxic, resists staining, can be coated with wood finishes and expands and contracts along with the natural movement of wood tiles. Fortis Arbor grout is available in three colors to complement its mosaics: Brick, to complement rosewood; Coffee, to accompany teak and rosewood; and Sand, to work with bamboo and teak. ■

Background: Random floor with insets. Top: Teak kitchen mosaic. Right: Teak and bamboo mosaic.

SUMMER 2013

woodn’t it be nice | Whether you plan to be in your home for multiple decades or just a few years, there is no doubt that wood floors add value to your home. You can make sure to maintain, and even increase, their value by using a wood flooring professional for all your installation and refinishing needs. Find one in your area by visiting www.woodfloors.org, or by contacting the National Wood Flooring Association at 800-422-4556 (US and Canada). ■

Cork flooring is not only eco friendly, warm and moisture resistant, but it has fashion and design capabilities as well. Pictured here, Aphrodite Creme from the Assortment Collection by APC Cork.

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Wood offers plenty of personality to match your own style, beginning with Old Red Oak in color Rock Cliff, from the Mirage Imagine Collection of Classic Engineered hardwood (above left) to the stunning Old World look of Castle Combe from US Floors’ Market Cross Series, which provides the look and feel of an ancient, reclaimed floor and combines it with the modern performance features of a 21st-century engineered floor. These inspiring, beautifully aged, handcrafted FSC-certified floors may be the most interesting, unique, head-turning floor covering and wall paneling you’ve seen in many years.

For Wood Floors that Breathe Beauty, Use This Natural Finish from Osmo

smo Polyx-Oil: An exceptionally beautiful wood finish developed by wood specialists. Imagine a wood finish that penetrates deep into the grain to strengthen, protect and beautify the wood surface from within. Consider the silky, natural feel and texture under your feet providing the warmth only wood can give. Osmo Polyx-Oil — a unique finish which combines plant oils and waxes for lustrous, durable and repairable protection. Polyx-Oil is the original hardwax-oil developed by Osmo, a century-old German wood product company. Thanks to Osmo’s expertise in wood and its deep understanding of wood’s cellular structure, Osmo has created a finish that protects and enhances the beauty of your wood floor, in a manner that is unrivaled by other finishes. Osmo is now one of the leading manufacturers of wood finishes, and its uniquely beautiful and durable Polyx-Oil finish has become popular throughout the world. It has been used throughout Europe in prominent projects like the airport in Copenhagen, the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki, Starbucks® in Berlin and the Apple® Store in London. Not to be confused with traditional oil finishes or polyurethane, Osmo Polyx-Oil contains plant oils and plant waxes — maximizing the benefits provided by both. This remarkable floor finish provides durability that no other finish can offer; it will never crack, blister or flake off. Polyx-Oil avoids these traditional pitfalls by sinking deep within the wood grain, protecting it from the inside back out to the surface. This natural finish allows wood to “breathe” instead of trapping moisture, a common ailment among troubled floors. Once a floor is finished with Polyx-Oil it can be easily maintained and even spot repaired, eliminating the need for the all-too-common and labor-intensive refinishing process. For more information, visit www.osmona.com.

SUMMER 2013

always resilient |

The hand-scraped look of Autumn Oak, from the Oak Royale Collection from Karndean, is sure to give you a feel that is unsurpassed in luxury vinyl flooring. The oak planks are 7" wide and 48" long and come in four glorious colors.

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A new generation of designers has turned a new fashion eye to a new generation of innovative resilient flooring options.

A new generation BY Margo Locust, Publisher and Editor in Chief

Nature-inspired patterns and colors add style and comfort to any room. The latest vinyl and linoleum floor designs range from clean, contemporary motifs, including metallics and stained concrete, to classic looks, including handsome and realistic weathered stones, textured leather and gorgeous hand-scraped hardwoods. And you thought you knew resilient as the linoleum or vinyl in your motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house! Combine those new features with a wide and exciting array of new colors and textures plus designs and formats ranging from sheets (6 and 12 feet wide) to tiles and even planks, and the custom design possibilities should spark your imagination. >>

Resilient goesdesigner out of within! style. Marmoleum Versatile and chic asmade seenfrom in this room setting Unleash the never eco-friendly is a product onlymodern natural ingredients and offers from the mostMohawk. comprehensive choice in color and design variety in its category. Pictured here, this sitting area is created with the Neutral Color Collaborators collection. SUMMER 2013

always resilient |

flo Something old is new again. This 9" classic checkerboard pattern has been re-invented. Featured in a classic coloration, Checkpoint from Mannington can create a playful atmosphere in any room.

esilient flooring is much more than “vinyl,” although that’s a major aspect. (See the luxury side of vinyl on next page.) As the name suggests, resilient “gives” and bounces back underfoot. It’s a broad term for flooring that includes vinyl, linoleum and other types such as rubber and even cork flooring, which is a wood product. These floors are as tough as they are attractive and exceedingly more durable and stain resistant as the days go on. That’s why you’re beginning to see the new generations of resilient flooring in the more designcentered areas of your home as well as those with high traffic. And that’s why a stunning resilient floor can flow from the kitchen to the dining room and do everything you need it to do, including look great!

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As durable as it is stylish, Canvas® from IVC offers a sophisticated flooring option for residential and light commercial applications. Its sleek, modern look is complemented by subtle texture. The collection offers 14 color choices in rich earth tones. Backed by a 15-year guarantee — how fabulous is that?

Mixed media is in! Imagine resilient sheets or tiles that offer the high-end looks (textures, colors and patterns) of glass, marble, slate, leather and wood, all at affordable prices. Resilient flooring tile, plank or sheet products allows you to be as creative as possible by blending the look of stone, wood and metal along borders or inlays. And remember that installation of those all-important borders, medallions and other custom accessories not only complete your design, they also add value to your home’s décor as well.

What is fiberglass vinyl? It’s a new generation of resilient flooring which uses glass fiber as part of the product’s core. Its fiberglass inner core provides stability, enabling the floor to lie flat without glue. Want to Love Your Floor? Take a look at brand-new Armstrong Duality™ Vinyl Sheet Flooring Selecting a floor…. you know how it’s done. First, you choose the look you like — stones, woods, perhaps something avant-garde. Next, what does the floor need to do for you? Sure, you want it to be beautiful, but how tough? Easy to clean? Anti-microbial (yes, floors can be, too)? What about installation options? You need to compare the floor’s performance attributes with the features important to you. You may find that today’s new fiberglass-reinforced vinyl floors give you everything you want. And even here, Armstrong’s new Duality™ stands out — ultra-realistic, three-dimensional designs combine with the company’s ToughGuard® Flex backing to offer incredible durability. Beauty and brawn. The new collection is organized by visuals — stones, woods and alternatives — and then broken down by performance attributes, features and benefits unique to each selection. Duality’s stunningly realistic visuals are achieved by Armstrong’s exclusive MasterWorks Technology® printing that creates floors that look as good as their natural inspiration. Like a highdefinition television, MasterWorks Technology 3D with VTxTM captures the depth, definition and dimension of natural materials, so that stones look and feel like stones, and woods look and feel like woods. From the unique markings of dramatic slate to modular designs that mimic the look of a ceramic installation, the stones capture the beauty of natural material and provide warmth and comfort underfoot. The wood visuals capture the timeless looks and rich graining of natural hardwood. Alternatives are visually exotic, combining floor and fashion, from the stylish look of leather to modern designs that add drama and sophistication to any room. Duality will withstand even the most active lifestyles, offering best-in-class warranties, including lifetime limited and up to 15 years light commercial. The floors are designed to meet specific performance and lifestyle needs, and offer glue-down as well as loose-lay installation options. And, like all Armstrong resilient floors, they are third-party FloorScore™ certified for better indoor air quality. Visit www.armstrong.com.

A nice mix of rustic and contemporary is Armstrong Duality — Bandelier Flint sheet vinyl.

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always resilient |

What’s Luxury Vinyl Tile all about?

LVT is different from the outset. An exquisite Butternut wood pattern from Mannington’s Adura features the first variable-width vinyl plank in the industry. Provence brings the rustic and antique beauty of the Mediterranean coast to life. This pattern offers unique plank widths in 3", 4½" and 6", creating a look that is both original and fashionable.

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Luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, is a premium, designer-quality vinyl resilient flooring with features, benefits and looks that are sometimes very difficult to comprehend. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that good. In the early days of vinyl resilient flooring, the primary emphasis was on function, durability and economy. Design-ability was a bit limited, although traditional resilient flooring has come a long way as you see from the previous pages. The advent of LVT established a primary focus on high fashion for this flooring category, opening wide the doors to styling. >> Above: Moduleo, shown here in Prince from IVC, introduces stunning wood and stone designs that have been created to appeal to your sense of style and performance, with that unique feel only possessed by the very best Luxury Vinyl Tile products.

MADE FOR LIVING IN STYLE AND COMFORT Added realism is achieved with the option of real grout in between each tile. Aspire tile from Metroflor, edges feature patent-pending, state-of-the art Crescent-Edge technology that creates an appearance of depth and thickness, making it all the more lifelike by evoking the visual and tactile sensation of a natural floor.

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always resilient |

LVT composition also different. LVT is different from theisoutset.

Armstrong Travertine Believe it orAlterna not.... Classico this is NOT tile andâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; stone! It is Blue Mist/Beige 16" Luxury Vinyl.Karndean Luxury Vinyl Tile 16" (LVT)!Ă&#x2014; CK26 Java from luxury vinyl design flooring gives the appearance of a genuine tile and stone installation.

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Typically, luxury vinyl offers colors, looks and shapes, like stone planks and realwood-length LVT planks of three to four feet that you can’t find in traditional resilient flooring, and often not in other categories, and, thus, greater installation flexibility. LVT is different from the outset. Even when you first see it, you can’t help but note that it looks and feels very much like real stone or wood or tile. (There are versions that can be installed with or without grout for very tailored, trendy looks.) LVT composition is also different. The top or protective wear layer (sometimes more than one) is incredibly rugged, enough to defend against not only everyday scratches but also tears and gouges, while the bottom layers are far more dimensionally stable. Hence, we now have LVT with lifetime warranties and versions that are engineered for commercial spaces. 

The name says it all.

At right: Soft and comfortable underfoot, Alterna luxury vinyl tile from Armstrong, pictured here in Durango in the color Clay, has the most natural and realistic look of any vinyl tile on the market today. It can be installed with grout or without grout, for a true stone or ceramic look. Alterna comes in popular 16" × 16" tile and is eco-friendly, with 75 percent limestone composite. Protected by an extremely durable wear layer, Alterna has a lifetime warranty.

Why buy resilient…? Resilient is VALUE, combining COLOR, STYLE, PATTERN, BEAUTY, VERSATILITY and PERFORMANCE. So named because this flooring “gives” a little when walked on, resilient includes vinyl, linoleum, rubber and other types. Resilient products, many DO-IT-YOURSELF, can be purchased in 6- and 12-foot rolls, minimizing seams and speeding layout, or in tiles, generally in 12- and 18-inch squares (install with colored grout for the latest in tile looks). But, increasingly, NEW FORMATS, BORDERS AND TRIM are appearing in new shapes and sizes, including planks in stone and tile looks. LUXURY STYLES, TOO! Today’s resilient flooring can SIMULATE THE FINEST WOOD GRAIN from butternut to mesquite in hand-scraped finishes; THE MOST ELEGANT, HAND-TOOLED marble, mosaics, metals, leather, glass, travertine, stained concrete and textiles; and THE MOST CREATIVE, TEXTURED ARTWORK imaginable in a variety of finishes. It’s IDEAL FOR MIXING STYLES, like stone with wood. Providing REALISM and VERSATILITY without the cost or challenges of other materials, RESILIENT WITHSTANDS TOUGH ENVIRONMENTS. It’s at home anywhere in your house, great for moisture-prone kitchens, baths and laundry rooms. It can be applied over many surfaces, including most existing floors, and it FEELS WARM UNDERFOOT. It’s GREEN FROM A HYGIENIC STANDPOINT, because bacteria, allergens and dirt have a hard time gaining a foothold. Surfaces wipe clean and they resist spills and “drops.”

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Make Your Space Stand Out… The secret is out — LVT is the “go to” choice for anyone looking for a stylish and beautiful floor without any hassles. LVT is affordable enough that it won’t break your budget. It is so easy to maintain and clean, yet tough enough to withstand heavy foot traffic (or children and pet traffic), and the realism is often indistinguishable from the natural materials that it replicates. This growing interest and demand has fueled Karndean Designflooring to develop and design styles ahead of the trends. What’s trendy in LVT right now? Select one of these styles and make everyone on the block green with envy over your new floor!

Larger-Sized Planks and Tiles Bigger is better when it comes to plank and tile sizes. Installers love bigger pieces because they are quick to install, which saves time and money. Homeowners, flooring c ontractors and specifiers alike love the spacious, modern feel of a wide-format plank or tile. Karndean recently released its largest tile yet, which is 18" × 36" in size and available in six different styles. Some of the planks in Karndean’s Opus collection are 9" × 48", while their floating floor, LooseLay, is nearly 10" × 43".

Metallic and Striated Designs Metallic or concrete finishes and striated, linear designs are hot this year. Both of these styles are ultra-modern and are perfect for those with contemporary spaces, whether it’s for a home environment or for a restaurant/bar or retail space. Find these striated line planks and shiny metallic tiles in Karndean’s Opus collection, which is known for its fresh, innovative and modern looks.

Planks in Random Widths and Lengths Karndean Designflooring took replication a step further earlier this year when it released a Random Width and Random Length plank in their Art Select Wood range. With three different widths and nine different lengths, the true random pattern found in many hardwoods is achieved once installed. These planks have a gently molded surface for a traditional “handscraped” timber look. This is truly one-of-a-kind in the LVT world right now. ■

The Art Select Maple Collection in Cajun Maple is unique to vinyl flooring because it features plank sizes that allow for the installation of a seemingly “random” pattern. Combine that with angled edges and a realistic, natural look and you have a true designfloor that can withstand traffic demands for years.

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Robigo stone (18" × 36") and SP717 Russus stone (6" × 36") — Karndean’s newly expanded Opus range is known for its fresh, modern styles. These new additions create designflooring for today’s trends.

with These Hot Trends in LVT This growing interest and demand has fueled Karndean Designflooring to develop and design styles ahead of the trends.

SUMMER 2013

nderlayment goes on top of the structural support of your floor and under your actual flooring. It is designed to create a smooth, durable surface — which is why it is so important for vinyl flooring.

Vinyl flooring is so thin that any imperfections underneath it — like bumps, grooves, or cracks — will show right through. Without a solid underlayment, your vinyl flooring may not look as good as it should, and it may wear out faster. The last thing you want is for your vinyl flooring to fail because your underlayment is not good enough.

What Lies Beneath: Underlayment!

The “good, old” type of underlayment is not necessarily the best. Wood is the oldest form of underlayment. If you want to use lumber as a vinyl flooring underlayment, your best bets are using either particleboard or plywood. They are both thin types of wood that will not raise the level of your vinyl flooring too much. Particleboard and plywood are both smooth enough that they provide a solid foundation for vinyl flooring. The only thing you need to keep a careful eye out for is nail heads and wood staples. If any of them are exposed, it can lead to vinyl flooring that looks bumpy. If wood is exposed to moisture — from something like a leak or clogged drain — it can warp. If your underlayment warps, your vinyl flooring will start to buckle and break.

New, high-performing underlayment is available. One of the newest types of underlayment designed for vinyl floor (LVT or LVP), dBcover® VINYL, made by Fabricushion Inc., is incredibly smooth, and it can be exposed to a lot of moisture without warping, buckling or expanding — meaning that your vinyl flooring will be safe and intact up top.

dBcover® VINYL dBcover® VINYL underlayment is sold in rolls and easy to lay out and install. The material presents very high density (59lbs/ ft3) and rigidity, important to avoid any flexibility of vinyl flooring. dBcover® VINYL offers self-leveling characteristics which will save time and money and also avoid potential installation problems if there are irregularities in the subfloor. Installation of dBcover® underlayment is simple and quick. dBcover® VINYL underlay is approved for both floating floor installations and glue-down installations. It can be installed above dry and completely cured concrete, interior plywood, gypsum board, cement backer units, oriented strand board, and ceramic floors. It comes with special plastic foil that works as a moisture barrier and blocks any moisture coming from the concrete. 42

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Step 1: Start in a corner. Unroll underlayment parallel to the wall in the opposite direction as you plan to install the flooring tiles or planks. The moisture barrier film should be facing down, against the subfloor.

Step 2: Cut the roll using a knife or another cutting tool.

Step 3: Roll out next row in the same manner butting foam close to first row. Do not overlap foam pad. Seal all open seams with aggressive 2" packing adhesive tape.

Step 4: Install flooring per manufacturer’s instructions.

Does dBcover® VINYL respect the environment?

in the number of new vinyl plank floors using various types of glue-less installations. For the floating installation, the design and strength of the lock click/glue-less system is a crucial component. This determines how easy or difficult the installation will be, as well as how the floor will hold together with time. While “click” systems and other floating LVT products have some benefit in reducing surface preparation with some installations, one would be prudent to recommend a glue-down installation for heavy-use areas. ■

Unquestionably! Every dBcover® product is recyclable, nontoxic, odorless and resistant to mold and mildew. It is manufactured using safe raw materials. Also, the thermal isolation or conductivity can reduce energy consumption and therefore carbon footprints.

A final thought on making sure your LVT installation with dBcover® VINYL stands the test of time.

For more information visit dBcover.com or contact customerservice@fabricushion.com.

Today there are several methods of installation available; anywhere from full-spread permanent glue-down to complete glue-less (floating) installations, but there is a dramatic increase SUMMER 2013

tile in style |

It’s Hard to Believe it’s NOT Wood! Ragno USA’s Barnwood continues to push the limits of inkjet printing with the distressed, genuine look of reclaimed wood in 6" × 24" planks. It goes where natural woods can’t. The series replicates wood that has withstood the elements for so long that the paint has broken down and the wood has taken on a unique, warm patina all its own. Cracks are evident, while some spots are smooth and devoid of paint; natural wood graining underscores the realistic appeal.

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By E. A. O‘Connell

Follow the Fantasy… . . . And just like that, you’re standing on a work of art. Next, you might be bathing in it. In literature, the difference between fiction and fantasy is that fiction is written as something that hasn’t happened but might; fantasy is so unimaginable — fantastic — that it’s pure imagination. With tile, fantasy can be come imaginable. On the floor, walls or ceiling, perhaps as a backsplash or even as a framed accent piece, solid tiles somehow turn light into liquid — flowing, rippling, pooling, gliding — creating a mood, matching a vision. In the world of tile, novel is simply the norm. The newest palettes feature nature-inspired colors from desert to woodland. Many patterned designer tiles are also nature-inspired with stylized grass looks, seaside palms, peacocks, organic geometrics and the latest hot trend, wood looks! >> Below: For every style there is a perfect tile, like this shimmering poolside from Daltile. The Cristallo Glass installation features Aquamarine 4" × 4" field tile with Natural Stone in Carrara White, 12" × 12" field tile and Tumbled Stone in Botticino 1" × 12" pencil rail. Floor features Luna Pearl Flamed 12" × 12" field tile.

Above: Through art and technology, Virtue captures the best qualities of the world’s purest white marbles — Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario — in a gently blended look dressed in a subtle, luminous sheen with graceful veining. The line comes in just one shade of white interpreted in two finishes, unpolished and a soft satin that’s true to marble’s classic luster. Though its look is subtle and elegant, Virtue is stain resistant and stronger and more durable than real marble.

Mediterrenea’s Pearl Bayside is designed for the new age we live in, delivering a clean, more minimalist look in this dining area.

SUMMER 2013

tile in style |

By RICHARD HOWLAND

You’d swear you were in a classic Southern plantation home Since America’s early plantation days, the iconic magnolia tree and products made from its wood have projected the South’s elegant, easy living.

ard to imagine that venerable magnolia could be improved upon. But that’s what Florida Tile has done with its new Magnolia HDP High Definition Porcelain™ tile line in large-format wood-plank looks for floors and walls. This magnolia comes in a new 8- × 36-inch pressed-plank format, consistent with the grand scale of this wood species and current trends in natural hardwood flooring. The wide surface features a texture that’s reserved yet still delivers the soft, supple touches of natural wood. In addition to this obvious beauty, there’s a hidden beauty. These magnolia styles incorporate the rugged and enduring characteristics of porcelain tile without all of the years of maintenance and worries that come with natural wood. This makes Florida Tile Magnolia HDP appropriate for commercial and residential use. You’ll find this magnolia in six stain colors, four of them traditionals like chestnut, mahogany, burl and cherry, and two new contemporary colors… ash and fir. Magnolia was developed using Florida Tile’s HDP High Definition Porcelain™ technology, which achieves the combination of a large grain pattern and gentle saw marks with minor imperfections inherent in real wood. This is a color body porcelain (meaning the color is throughout the tile, not on its surface, so it conceals wear and damage), and it is GreenGuard Certified to contain no VOCs and Bureau Veritas certified for 40 percent recycled content. ■

Below left: Magnolia in Chestnut, and below right, in Mahogany

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Fabulo

Extraordinary Tiles Inside or Outside Your Home Florida Tile has been consistently setting the standard for some of the most advanced technologies in tile production for many years now. Our belief is: What we design & manufacture should inspire creativity. Porcelain tile should be strong yet beautiful, sustainable and a great value that will last for years to come. Our line of HDP High Definition Porcelain & other extraordinary lines of glazed porcelain tile like Time/2.0 bring our attention for detail to the surface. From slate, wood and marble look tiles, we produce a finished product that is both beautiful and responsible. For more information visit our website.

TIME/ 2.0 BY expect more SUMMER 2013

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tile in style | Variations on a tile theme can include ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, natural stone, mosaics — even handcrafted concrete — and yes, even hand-scraped wood now comes in square sizes from 1 inch to 24 inches, rectangles up to 18 × 38 inches and even “planks” up to 6 × 24 inches. The trend continues toward larger formats, especially for larger homes. And some of the newest lines have pre-packaged products for easily installing a multidimensional tile pattern. Porcelain offers a uniform, sleek, linear look in a multitude of colors, a perfect choice for modern urban décor. Ceramic tiles are also bright and reflective, offering a dazzling array of colors from muted to bold, as well as finishes from lower luster to bright glaze and even crackled. Individually fired, the slight irregularities of ceramic tile give a classic, artisan-crafted appearance. Design artists have been captivated by the translucence and transparency of glass, which refracts more than it reflects, softening and deepening the play of light. Glass tiles are especially suitable for modern kitchens and elegantly remodeled baths. Glass mosaics come in countless colors and textures, even pillowy quilted looks. >>

Achieve the rich, distinctive visual of slate with Tarvisio from Mohawk, shown here in Copper Summit featuring the latest in digital imaging technology, Mohawk Ceramic Tile Reveal Imaging™. This revolutionary technique creates a three-dimensional appearance for a one-of-a-kind realism, like authentic, rustic stone.

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Mix with Grout, Keep Stains Out

eep grout fresh and clean for years to come by using Grout Boost® grout additive in your next tile installation.

Grout Boost additive is a simple and effective product that resists water- and oil-based stains in grout. It is compatible with all manufacturers’ traditional portland cement grouts. Simply mix your grout with Grout Boost additive in place of water during the time of installation and enjoy a lifetime of stain-resistant grout. Grout Boost additive can be used for all tile installations, whether inside or out, floor or wall, ceramic or natural stone, and for applications subjected to moisture and submerged water. Grout Boost additive is also mold and mildew resistant. Available in three convenient sizes for both sanded and non-sanded grout, Grout Boost additive can be found at Lowe’s® and wholesale distributors nationwide. Visit groutboost.com for additional information and availability. ■

Fido is no match... when you use the latest advancement in grout stain protection. Don’t let dirt and spills stain your grout and detract from the beauty of your tile surface. Mix Grout Boost® with grout during installation and achieve resistance to common stains, dirt, mold and mildew. Whether it be everyday wear or the occasional catastrophe – Grout Boost® is up to the challenge.

The Smarter Way to Grout. * PATENT PENDING

Visit www.groutboost.com for availability

SUMMER 2013

tile in style | Reflective metallics from bronze squares to penny-tiles are very hot. Stainless steel, copper, pewter and polished brass are available in various shapes, from ovals to octagons. Embossed metallics depict everything from vineyard murals to “chaotic geometrics.” And one of the latest technological innovations is metallic glazes over porcelain. Great design is seeing the larger picture, taking into account other surfaces, accessories and transitions to other rooms. And tile blends beautifully with other design materials. Trim pieces can coordinate or complement your tile décor. Listellos are uniquely designed for creating borders, including frames and chair rails, or for accentuating specific architectural detail. Remember texture as a design element — just like a character actor who plays a small but important part. Tiles may be sculpted, embossed or etched. Pebble tile, embedded in a mesh backing, or other textured materials add both visual and practical elements when considering slip-resistance in a bath or pool area. Underneath the stunning looks of tile is a tough realism. New pre-mixed grouts and mortars, offered in a full spectrum of colors, install much more quickly, saving time for contractors and lowering costs for consumers. The latest interlocking, self-leveling technologies even allow installation of a floating floor. Tile is durable, easy to clean and environmentally friendly — made of natural and recyclable material — and impervious to odors, allergens and bacteria. Depending on the mood you hope to achieve, colors can be bright and bold or soft and serene. Different textures, patterns and dimensions further fan the imagination. And in the end, you control the fantasy. ■

Drawing on the architectural inspiration of ancient Egypt — Cairo, shown here in Papyrus, from Mannington, offers an ever-changing, rich, vibrant mix of natural color variation and realistic texture. Harmony from Marazzi USA Harmony’s modern exotic wood look lets you make your design passion your lifestyle expression. Four dramatically shaded wood effects reign on an extremely flat surface with a strong porcelain core. Harmony looks like wood but performs better — porcelain is impervious and withstands water as well as freezing conditions when most woods can’t.

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Create the oasis of your dreams, inside or out! The Nature Tile Collection from Imagine Tile offers specialty surface designs that allow for the reproduction of textures, patterns, photos, illustrations and even three-dimensional images onto ceramic tiles. Available for floors, walls and countertops and in a variety of sizes, Imagine Tile’s Nature Tile Collection is perfect for residential and commercial spaces. Imagine Tile is a commercially rated ceramic tile company helping customers turn imagery into reality using patented glazing technology. The versatility of Imagine Tile’s products allows you to bring natural elements to virtually any space. Nature Tiles feature glazed, high-resolution patterns from bamboo to ocean tiles, and are made with durable, easy to clean, eco-friendly ceramic. You can transform any room with a bamboo print for your wall or floor, or enhance a pool or outdoor patio with a cool, light-dappled ocean tile. Just Imagine! This collection of naturally inspired tiles contains no VOCs, is made with preconsumer recycled materials and is sustainable with a long lifecycle. The tiling is extremely resistant to strong chemicals and is unaffected by UV lighting. These options can contribute to the sustainability of buildings, in accordance with the LEED systems. www.imaginetile.co

Why buy tile…? Tile has been popular for more than 2,000 years because of its unique combination of DESIGNABILITY, DURABILITY, ADAPTABILITY and VARIETY of sizes, geometric shapes, colors, designs, patterns and materials (ceramic, porcelain, metals, glass, stone, etc.). Tile makes for endless DESIGN FLEXIBILITY. It lets you set a unified theme and be your own artist, sophisticated to rustic. The SIZE of a tile from an inch or so (mosaic) up to two feet makes for intriguing TEXTURES and UNIQUE STATEMENTS. Large homes may beg large tiles as a matter of scale, but large tile in any room helps make it feel smaller. TOUGH as tile is (there are tiles for every application; wall tiles won’t necessarily go on the floor), it’s EASY to CLEAN, MAINTAIN and REPAIR. Tile can be a permanent addition to EVERY ROOM. But you can EASILY and economically UPDATE a tile look with a few specialty items like medallions, listellos, custom tiles, inserts or grout color. One coming trend is ultra thin tile; easy to install, less costly to ship, less stress on architecture. Tile BRINGS THE OUTDOORS IN, quite DESIGN TRENDY these days. Want a HEALTHY HOME? Tile won’t promote allergens, bacteria, mold or mildew. Most tile is green, made from NATURAL MATERIALS like clay and minerals.

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SUMMER 2013

underfoot |

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Opposite page: Area rugs can come in any kind of fiber and definitely do not have to be casual or occasional. They can be as high fashion as the most sophisticated carpet, as seen in Tendril from the Maison collection from the Rug Market.

Left: The Sunrise Collection from J Mish is a refreshing textured stripe that adds vitality to any décor. This quality offers 14 classic pastel colorways, as well as a rainbow stripe. Sunrise, shown here in Field of Flowers, is tufted from 100 percent New Zealand Wool.

Fall in love with area rugs… By Marsha Howland

he right rug can make all the difference in your decorating scheme. It’s the romance of a far-off setting, an intimate rendezvous, a dazzling party or a private retreat, the feeling of a Summer Romance (or romance for any season) can be achieved — or recalled — instantaneously with an area rug.

A rug can be a precious work of art. (A silk Persian rug dating from the 16th century just sold for a record $4.45 million.) Or a rug can be a stylish tool, keeping soil and moisture at bay as you transition from the outdoors into your home. >>

Karastan’s French Quarter Henna — Comfortable, weathered, easy to live with, color is the signature style of the Sierra Mar collection, with relaxed patterns that work with both traditional and modern designs. French Quarter Henna is a transitional design inspired by the ironwork gates and balconies of New Orleans. Woven in the U.S.A. of premium New Zealand worsted wool.

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Wool is perhaps the best known among area rugs, given its beauty and durability. A gorgeous heirloom-quality wool rug can wash a room in elegance, developing lovely patinas and becoming a keepsake, generation to generation.. Other natural fibers include cotton, silk, jute, sisal, seagrass, bamboo, leather and coir. Natural materials last a long time. Synthetics, which are easier to clean, present a perfect solution for allergy sufferers, pet owners, or families with small children. Ultimately, the real issue with area rugs is the look — and feel — you want to create, from timeless Oriental to contemporary “Urban Renaissance.” Designs range from single colors — neutral to bold — to Abstract Contemporary with gentle curves or striking geometrics. There are Persian or tribal classics. Scandinavian designs. Mediterranean. Tibetan. Area rugs that reflect the romance, tastes and cultures of the world.

Why buy rugs…? INSTANT MAKEOVER, for one thing! Area rugs come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and materials — textiles to leather to grass and wood products, some even with tile and stone accents. They quickly dress up, refresh and change the feel and style of a room. A new rug, pillows and window treatments, and you’re done. OR, START FROM THE BEGINNING, selecting any floor, carpet, wood, tile, laminate or resilient as a foundation, and plan your floor, rugs, wall treatments and color palette to work together. Area rugs are a fast and often economical way not only to decorate but also to personalize. ARTISTIC. TRADITIONAL. CUSTOM. MILD TO WILD. (Some manufacturers will cut and custom-bind carpet for wall to wall in one room and a matching or coordinating custom rug in the next for a touch of luxury.) CHANGE RUGS WITH THE SEASONS. Bring out your favorites or invest in KEEPSAKEQUALITY RUGS for use on special family occasions or the coming holidays. Layer: it’s trendy to USE RUGS OVER CARPET OR EVEN OTHER RUGS. Area rugs STYLISHLY PROTECT THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH and are warm and comfortable underfoot. They’re easy to clean and maintain, and they can move with you to your next home.

▲ Above left: Return to the beauty of colonial homes with the Homespice Super durable Brick Rug Collection. This collection adds a warm glow to any living area. Super durable Brick rugs are versatile and sturdy enough to be used indoors or outdoors, making them highly desirable rugs to own. Left: There is a reason why area rugs are called art for the floor! Homes love area rugs for their art as much as for their practicality. Notice how Medusa Pebblestone from the Rodeo Collection, a division of Stark Carpet Corp., is an artful anchor for this gathering area.

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Fabulous Floors welcomes His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge! Rug Market America didn’t have a bet on the sex of the new royal little one, but if folks there had looked into their popular British styles, they may have seen a clue! The Blue Union Jack is a polyester indoor/outdoor rug and would be at home in a palace or any Britishchic inspired nursery. Easy care and soft fiber construction. Timeless. Windsor from Karastan, taken from a classic Heriz pattern, exhibits the perfect symmetry and balance of this design, testament to its ability to complement the decorating styles of centuries.

Southwestern rugs, inspired by Native American designs and desert colors, work beautifully beside rustic looks, wider plank floors or as an to accent Shaker furniture. What’s new in area rugs is endless possibility. For some designers in 2013, “new” is bright colors — natural yellows, deep sea blues, deep spicy reds, along with bold patterns, even stripes. Others are partial to chocolate and warm earth colors, or subtle tone-on-tone rugs in champagne and crème, for example, or shades of soft green. Nothing is more elegant than an heirloomquality area rug, including Orientals, presented over a gleaming hardwood floor. Nothing is more charming than a braided rug over distressed or antique-look planks. Nothing is more playful than a fluffy, ultra-shaggy Flokati rug, popular in the ’60s and ’70s, for a perfect retro statement, especially in a bedroom. The possibilities are limitless. With an area rug you can quickly transform any living space yourself. You can go back in time. Reach into the future. Create a keepsake. Indulge a whim. Follow a fantasy. Go ahead. Get romantic with rugs. It only takes an instant. ■ Left: The Recife Collection from Couristan is distinctively designed to help make the classic styling of outdoor furniture, stone entryways and patio decks. warmer and more inviting — like this lakeside paradise in Paisley Scroll.

SUMMER 2013

BY JEANETTE CHASWORTH

Make Room for Summer!

On the East Coast a sun porch is a more practical way to go. This lovely dining room uses all natural elements to bring the outdoors in. The floor has some subtle blues in it which provide contrast to the yellows in the table and wall tile. It’s subtle but dynamic. The natural weave chairs bring a feeling of nature in and help allow summer to last all year ’round.

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ummer is only three months a year, so why not bring summer fun to your home all year ’round? One of the current trends in design is an outdoor room. It is a great way to add some spark to your life and value to your home. It is a less expensive addition, and there are great opportunities for creativity, too!

One decision in creating an outdoor room is how much shelter you would like it to provide, whether to leave it covered or uncovered, and whether there are solid walls, screens, or the room is left open to let nature in! Each option will affect how you use the space and how often. The floor in this situation is a key element, as it helps to define the space. You may decide to have your new outdoor room covered or open depending on your needs, budget and entertainment requirements. An open room without any walls can be defined completely by the flooring. The edges of the floor or changes in the floor take the place of walls and act as visual borders. Tile is the most popular surface in an outdoor room, and it affords so many patterns and variations. Pressure-treated wood, brick and stained concrete are some other options. The variety alone adds a lot of room for creativity and expression of your personality. The flooring in your new outdoor room will usually be a different material or pattern than that in the rest of your home. You can even use multiple types of flooring in order to create interest, or to define separate purposes for different areas or rooms. Creating an outdoor room can also be a quick renovation, and because it is outside, construction doesn’t have the usual headaches of most remodels. You can continue to live life inside your house as normal. Because you don’t have to add walls and foundation, it’s a much less expensive alternative to a complete room addition. However, it can add much-needed living space to your home and allows you to enjoy the outdoors more often. Even if you live in an area with cold winters, an outdoor room with enough cover can be used other months of the year with the addition of space heating, and Spring and Autumn are full of days that can be enjoyed outside! Why summer is a great time to do your project: ● Contractors need work and aren’t rushed; this means you will get more reasonable prices and work done quicker. ● Fewer weather interruptions mean outdoor room construction is faster and goes more smoothly. ● It’s a great time to start a project without as many fixed holidays. ● Note that furniture and other custom items may need 8 to 12 weeks to order, and you may need time to ensure arrival for the holidays. ■

This wonderful space is an outdoor paradise. Fireplace in the dining room, lounge chairs near the pool. The red really pops out in contrast to the grass and continues the color of the brick. The yellow in the dining room is a great way to add to the fun and creativity of the space and enhance the taste of the food at the same time.

The best of both worlds — covered and uncovered entertainment areas. You can enjoy the outdoors all year ’round — at least in California and other places that are warm most of the year! An open-air living room with fireplace provides warmth and ambience, while the covered area offers a bar, heaters, and protection from wind or rain. The drapery adds to the warmth and protection. The colors are warm, inviting, and elegant, making this space your own special retreat.

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Designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WALK By Christina DeMers

Using Your Personal Style to Create the Perfect Outdoor Living Space 58

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Right: Tiles of Spain Terraco tapavimentos degres, most common name given to highly porous ceramic tiles that are dry pressed, glazed and single or double fired. Their characteristics make them also suitable as indoor wall coverings.

No matter where you live — whether you endured a long, cold winter or a less brutal one — everyone is eager to welcome summer’s arrival. Summer means sunny days and warm, relaxing evenings and, most of all, spending time outdoors. It also seems to fly by much too quickly. So how can you make the most of this fleeting season? One way is to transform your outdoor living space into a stylish, inviting retreat where you’ll love spending time. Whether it’s a patio, porch, balcony or deck, choosing the right materials and décor can mean your outdoor space will be your most popular space. The first step is to consider how you want to use your outdoor space. Are you looking to entertain, create a relaxing sanctuary or a cozy, personal space for intimate conversation? >> Pavers Stones from Sonoma in the color Shade

This Color Body Porcelain called Fortress from the Quartez series from Florida Tile is inspired by the durability and beauty of natural Quartzite. Fortress is a grayish green that adapts to its environment and plays a cool background to a modern interior.

SUMMER 2013

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to carefully consider what you need as well what you want. Assess your space and figure out what your focal point is, what makes the most sense for serving food, for example, and (of course) just how much time you plan to spend out there. Above: Prado Brazilian Cherry from Cikel in Sapwood natural provides an amazing platform for entertaining in this outdoor kitchen area. Below: A contemporary twist on traditional braided area rugs, this rug offers a fresh take on an old classic from the Jefferson Collection from CMI (Colonial Mills Inc.). Below Right: From Seneca comes authentic handformed clay tile characterized by irregular edges, corners and surface variations. Rich tones and inviting textures enhance traditional and contemporary interiors both indoors and out.

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Whatever the purpose of your outdoor space, remember, too, that your personal taste needs to play a role. Determine your own design aesthetic, combine that with how you want your space to be used, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on your way! Because flooring is the foundation of your space, tackle this first, choosing materials that accomplish your outdoor living goals. Luckily, there is an abundance of choices available. Start by selecting what is most conducive to your climate, your needs and your budget. Wood is readily available and fairly easily maintained, but it can be quite costly. It does, however, withstand all weather conditions such as heat, rain and snow. Many decks use real wood, but composite materials and a multitude of synthetics are also available for even easier maintenance and long-lasting durability. Concrete is one of the most resilient building materials available that can provide years of life for your outdoor surface, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very costeffective choice. Although concrete may start out as basic gray, you can add personality with concrete staining or stamping to add pattern and texture. Concrete can also provide the necessary base for other flooring materials, like tile. Speaking of tile, this is one of the most versatile options, as it is easy to install and offers hundreds of color, size and pattern choices. You can really showcase your personality with the infinite varieties of natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tile. Tile also provides a durable and easy-to-clean surface that will last for years if properly cared for. >>

This beautiful, vibrant, durable, handtufted indoor/outdoor rug from Nourisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rainforest Collection is an attractive solution for almost any high-traffic area. The Collection features contemporary, bold, oversized floral and leafy patterns on a variety of exciting background colors. Bring a soothing ambience of tranquility into any setting with these inspired, highperformance, value-priced rugs!

SUMMER 2013

Pavers are a popular do-it-yourself alternative that come in a variety of materials, colors, sizes and shapes to complement your home’s exterior. The benefit of using pavers is that not only are they are easy to install and can be used to create a variety of designs, but they are able to absorb stress such as small earthquakes, freezes and thaws, as well as slight ground erosion.

modern and chic or country and homey, you can find design elements that both fit your style and follow this trend. Orange is particularly hot this season, with everyone from paint makers to furniture designers incorporating in their designs every shade of orange imaginable. Not ready to commit to a bright tangerine chaise lounge or vibrant persimmon dining set? No problem; you can still follow this season’s bold color trend with a few carefully placed accessories in bright and lively colors: think vases, throw pillows and lamps.

Outdoor carpets or mats are robust and weather-resistant and can add colors and texture that may be missed using other Below: Throw open the doors and transition this striking porcelain from Marazzi USA. Porfidi Rosso is Porphyry stone permeated with crystalline materials. Polyethylene mats are the waterproof versions of the and metallic deposits inspired this dense, frost-resistant tile that is particuOriental rug and can help define a truly individual outdoor liv- larly well-suited for public areas such as atriums, courtyards, patios and walkways where slip resistance, strength and stain resistance are important. ing room space. Brick is popular because it is relatively inexpensive, withstands all weather conditions and is easy to install and to clean. Brick is also naturally slip resistant when wet. You can also get creative with brick, using it to craft different patterns, such as basket weave or herringbone. Hopefully, exploring your flooring options has not overwhelmed you, because there’s still the décor to consider! Bold is the buzzword for beautiful outdoor decorating this year, and it’s easy to find items — from furniture to wallpaper Below Left: It’s not tile…it’s stained concrete created by Elite Crete. Below — that play to this theme. And Right: Ocean Ave embodies the highest standard in handmade rug making. whether your personal style is Featuring the revolutionary DuraCord® yarns, these rugs are the softest and plushest outdoor rugs you can find. There are no limitations, as DuraCord® is a colorfast fiber that is as soft as cotton — in truth, indistinguishable from cotton! So soft you can use the rugs inside and so durable you can leave them outside to brighten your outdoors.

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TIPS FOR TILE From American Olean. 1. Complement the color palette. The colors already being used in a room should be considered when selecting the color of tile. Particularly, the recommended tile needs to work within the existing palette of larger elements in a room such as walls, cabinetry and furniture. To create a high visual impact, consider contrasting floor and wall colors within the same color family (for instance, a light beige wall and dark chocolate floor.) However, rooms with an additional high contrast variable such as furniture may be better served with matching floor and wall colors. Visit our inspiration gallery for design ideas. 2. Select a tile size that fits the room. Certain rooms lend themselves to specific tile sizes. A good rule of thumb is to mirror the room’s size with your tile. Large rooms typically use large tile because smaller tile tends to get lost. Similarly, large tile can overwhelm a small room, making it appear even smaller, so consider mosaic tiles for a unique design for tighter spaces. 3. Consider shade variation. Shade variation refers to the difference in color within an individual tile and between multiple tiles. Understanding how this will impact your or your customer’s design needs is important when selecting a tile. • Low shade variation refers to little or no color change.

There are many outdoor furniture choices, including the popular wicker, wood, plastic or even indoor furniture that’s been varnished for enduring the outdoor elements. But to truly create an environment with style and flair, use accessories — those little, personal touches — to really make a room all your own. Think about hanging pictures and mirrors and adorning exterior walls with treasured collectibles. For tabletops use framed photographs, vases of cut flowers, potted plants and even garden statuary. And feel free to pull in indoor accessories like lamps and throw rugs to make an outdoor room really feel like a room. Creating your very own outdoor living space can be an enjoyable endeavor, resulting in a much-loved living space that gets lots of use. But don’t lose sight of what’s most important in the process: incorporating your own personal style. When it comes down to it, the most essential piece of advice is to use the materials and trends that most appeal to you, and that work best for your needs. Our next project? Work on extending summer for just a few more months… ■

From a sense of casualness to sleek sophistication, Veranda’s beauty lies in its versatility. This stylish tile from Daltile is comfortable and understated and makes itself right at home in a wide range of environments. Paired with distinctive accents and trim, it’s available in a variety of sizes, which makes for fresh pattern options. Rich, progressive colors come alive in a look that is evocative of smooth, stained concrete. With its clean, graceful artistry, Veranda suits a variety of tastes and complements today’s eclectic lifestyles

• Moderate shade variation refers to subtle color differences. • High shade variation tiles show significant changes within and between tiles. • Random shade variation refers to the highest level of change, showing distinct differences.

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SolutionDyed DyedLooped LoopedNylon NylonCarpet Carpetfor for Solution Commercial Areas Commercial Areas Strong, Durable, Stain Resistant and Beautiful Strong, Durable, Stain Resistant and Beautiful Jonathan Baron, ASID Jonathan Baron, ASID built into the fiber when it is formed in the liquid New York City is known as the city that never builtstate, into thereby the fiberbecoming when it isanformed the liquid Newsleeps. York City is known as the city that never inbornincolor that cannot New Yorkers need carpeting that is not state, thereby becoming an inborn color thatmost cannot sleeps. New Yorkers need carpeting that is not be removed from the fiber. Nylon is the flexible only strong, durable and stain resistant but also be removed from the fiber. Nylon is the most flexible onlybeautiful. strong, durable and stain resistant but also of all fibers, allowing exceptional versatility in Commercial carpet needs to hold up to of all fibers, aallowing exceptional versatility in beautiful. Commercial carpet needs to hold up to creating variety of commercial carpet styles. This high traffic — particularly in apartment building creating a variety of commercial carpet styles. This highlobbies traffic and — particularly in apartment building material is durable, resilient and receptive to dyeing hallways. These spaces can be improved material is durable, resilient and receptive dyeing lobbies and hallways. These spaces can be improved for color flexibility and consistency. Thetonylon enormously with appropriate carpeting, and it’s for color and resistant consistency. The nylon enormously appropriate carpeting, and it’s carpetflexibility is extremely to spills and stains, and essential with to look for the best value. While each carpet is extremely resistant to spills and stains, and essential to look for the best value. While each can be easily cleaned with the strongest cleaning interior calls for a different style, commercial carpet can agents be easily cleaned with theorstrongest cleaning interior callsfor formany a different style, commercial carpet without bleaching fading. The looped can last years and remain in beautiful agents without bleaching or fading. The looped can condition last for many years and remain in beautiful design enhances the durability of the commercial if the carpet is especially designed for this design enhances thelast durability of years the commercial condition the carpet is especially designed for this carpet so it can for many in its original, specificif use. If you require commercial carpet for carpet so it can last for many years in its original, specific use. If you require commercial carpet for beautiful condition. any heavy traffic commercial areas, you can choose beautiful condition. any from heavya traffic commercial areas, styles you can choose limitless array of colors, and quality. Of Jonathan Baron, ASID, of Baron Design Inc., is known from a limitless array of colors, styles and quality. Of course, selecting the right commercial carpet from Jonathan of Baron known for hisBaron, design ASID, of public spacesDesign in NewInc., YorkisCity, course, selecting the right commercial carpet a bewildering array of choices can at timesfrom become for his design of public spaces in New York City, particularly residential apartment building lobbies and a bewildering frustrating.array of choices can at times become particularly apartment lobbies hallways.residential He has been publishedbuilding widely in local and NYC frustrating. hallways. He has been published widely in local NYC on real estate management publications and appeared Our firm recommends starting with a solution dyed reallocal estate management publications and appeared on of Ourlooped firm recommends startingcarpet with amade solution dyed and national TV. He is a professional member nylon commercial specifically localthe and national TV. He is a professional member of looped nylon commercial carpet made specifically American Society of Interior Designers and a New for high traffic commercial areas. Solution dyeing is the American of Interior Interior Designer. Designers and a New for high traffic commercial areas. Solution dyeing is York StateSociety Certified a pigmentation process in which color is actually York State Certified Interior Designer. 64 FABULOUSfloors a pigmentation process in which color is actually

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Soft, natural hues found in this personal and sophisticated interpretation of stone easily adapt to a multitude of styles — be they sophisticated, laid back or somewhere in between — with Lifestyle from Ragno USA.

SUMMER 2013

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After the Disaster: Getting You Back To Normal The Certified Flooring Replacement Network (CFRN), launched in 2010 by TradePRO, a national residential and commercial property damage third-party administrator, was established to provide the best flooring replacement services available in North America. The nationwide network of highly credentialed service providers is preferred in the industry, and members receive comprehensive training to serve the insurance channel efficiently. CRFN has partnered with more than 300 retail flooring locations and secured national service contracts with major insurance carriers such as Safeco Insurance and Liberty Mutual. Partnering with CFRN reduces costs to process insurance claims and speeds up service delivery to get customers back to normal. To learn more about CFRN, or if you’re a retailer interested in joining the network, visit http://www.cfrn.us/, or call 888-391-2524.

Focus on… Staircases! By Betty Isaacson

In movies, staircases seem to be so elegant. They look so special, so expensive, so stylish. Even the most basic ones. See how directors focus on them? Perhaps you’ve asked, “Why can’t my stairs looks SOMETHING like that?” or “Why are mine so much of a challenge?” Well, it’s literally all a matter of how you look at them. If you look at stairs as an architectural necessity, something utilitarian you have to work around, it will be difficult to achieve the desired effect — style! Sure, stairs are structural, but there’s no reason stairs can’t be an aesthetic feature for your home, too. Don’t hide them. Feature them! Look at your stairs as a designer (or a movie director) would — as an opportunity to focus the eye toward, not away, from the composition. If you do, your chances of successfully creating that look improve dramatically! Interior designers (and directors) use stairs to make a statement. They do it with lighting, the backdrop of paint and paper and smartly placed furniture, to be sure, but also with the materials used in the stairs themselves. Carpet runners. Exotic woods. Ceramic. Even laminate. In past generations, designers felt it an honorable challenge to take the most mundane, least attractive or most uninspiring (or uninspired) part of the home and turn it into a showcase. Why not create a showcase staircase? Nowadays, you have so many options to choose from. In fact, there are countless ways to install or replace a stairway, from custom designs to spiral kits, even replacement tread sets of hardwoods and exotics, not to mention accessories like stair rods. You have a lot of options to choose from. Work with your retailer to make sure you select carpet or other flooring materials that will stand up over time. Purchase good-quality materials, carpet and cushion especially, and do yourself a favor…invest in a second or third amount of stairway carpet. Why is that an investment? You can quickly replace worn or damaged runner materials that match other carpeting in your home without having to replace everything. If you’re doing the whole house, or a large portion of it, put more money into the staircase material but make it up by spending a bit less on a matching carpet (or hardwood or other flooring material) of slightly lesser quality for your bedroom. It’ll look and feel just as good and last just as long because rooms like the bedroom don’t get heavy use. Staircases? Step up to the challenge! ■

Above: left: wool/poly blend ornate runner; top right: wool/silk runner on curved staircase; at right: wool needlepoint runner with matching border on travertine. Staircase runner installations by Nick Mohilowski, Alpha Carpet Systems Inc. in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL — alphacarpetsystems.com

SUMMER 2013

new dimensions | Find Flooring

FAST

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS www.asid.org

APC CORK 866.222.3241 www.apcork.com

BRITISH WOOL MARKETING BOARD www.britishwool.org

Campaign for Wool www.campaignforwool.org

CARPENTER CO. STAINMASTER™ Carpet Cushion System www.carpenter.com

FLORIDA TILE INC. 800.789.TILE www.floridatile.com

HB FULLER Construction Products www.groutboost.com

KARASTAN www.karastan.com

KARNDEAN Design Flooring www.karndean.com

MANNINGTON MILLS 856.935.3000 www.mannington.com

MARAZZI USA www.marazzitile.com

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES Smart Strand 800.2MOHAWK www.mohawkflooring.com/ green

RAGNO USA www.ragnousa.com 828 International www.828rugs.com ALTOGETHER HOME www.altogetherhome.com AMERICAN HARDWOOD INFORMATION CENTER www.hardwoodinfo.com AMERICAN OLEAN 888.AOT.TILE www.americanolean.com AMTICO www.amtico.com ANN SACKS 800.278.8453 www.annsacks.com ANDERSON HARDWOOD FLOORS 864.833.6250 www.andersonfloors.com ANSO® NYLON/ SHAW INDUSTRIES www.ansonylon.com APARICI TILE www.aparici.com

FABULOUSfloors

APCOR www.realcork.org Architectural Systems, Inc. 212.206.1730 www.archsystems.com ARMSTRONG FLOOR PRODUCTS, which include Bruce®, Armstrong® and Robbins®, offer hardwood, resilient, laminate, ceramics and Genuine Linoleum™. To see products, go to www.armstrong.com Bellavita Tile www.bellavita.com BERRY FLOOR www.berryfloor.com BLISS CARPETS Beaulieu of America Inc 800.227.7211 www.beaulieuofamerica.com BONAKEMI www.bona.com BR-111 800.525.BR111 www.br111.com BRINTONS www.brintons.com CAPRI CORK www.capricork.com CARLISLE WIDE PLANK FLOORING 800-595-9663 www.wideplankflooring.com CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME www.carpetone.com CARPET & RUG INSTITUTE www.carpet-rug.com CARPETSPLUS COLOR TILE ECOCHOICE FLOORING 800.261.6456 www.carpetspluscolortile.com www.ecochoiceflooring.com CENTIVA www.centiva.com 888.CENTIVA CFRN — Certified Flooring Replacement Network www.cfrn.us 888.391-2524 COIR BOARD Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Government of India www.coirboard.gov.in www.coirboard.nic.in COLONIAL MILLS (CMI) 800.343.9339 www.colonialmills.com COLUMBIA FLOORING www.columbiaflooring.com CONGOLEUM CORP. www.congoleum.com Couristan www.couristan.com CREATIVE EDGE MASTER SHOP 641.472.8145 www.cec-waterjet.com

MEDIT SunStone Terracotta 300 for media

A B uyer ’ s G uide

CROSSVILLE INC. 800.221.9093 www.crossvilleinc.com CUSTOM WEAVE By Mohawk 800.2.Mohawk www.mohawkind.com DAL-TILE CORP. 800.933.TILE www.daltile.com DB COVER Fabricushon, Ltd. 800.475.0801 DIXIE HOME 800.273.8546 www.dixie-home.com DOMCO-TARKETT www.domco.com www.tarkettusa.com DREAMWEAVER CARPET www.dwcarpet.com ECODOMO LLC 301.424.7717 www.EcoDomo.com EF MARBURGER 317.841.7250 www.efmarburger.com EGE SERAMIK www.egeseramik.com ELDORADO STONE www.eldoradostone.com ELIANE CERAMIC TILES www.elianeusa.com EMIL CERAMICA www.emilamerica.com ENGINEERED FLOORS LLC www.engineeredfloorsllc.com EPRO TILE www.eprotile.com Excelsior Wood Products, LLC 845.339.6630 www.excelsiorwood.com EXPANKO www.expanko.com 800.345.6202 FABRICA INTERNATIONAL 800.854.0357 www.fabrica.com FAUS GROUP INC. 888.231.3287 www.fausinc.com FLOOR COVERING WEEKLY www.floorcoveringweekly.com FORBO LINOLEUM 866.MARMOLEUM www.themarmoleumstore.com FORMICA www.formicaflooring.com FORTIS ARBOR www.fluxstudios.com FROM THE FOREST 715.359.2627 www.fromtheforest.com GODFREY HIRST 800.480.7135 www.godfreyhirstusa.com GULISTAN www.gulistan.com HAKATAI www.hakatai.com

HELIOS CARPET www.helioscarpet.com Homerwood www.homerwood.com HOMESPICE DÉCOR www.homespicedecor.com HOME LEGEND 877.630.1800 www.homelegend.com IDG • INTERNATIONAL DESIGN GUILD • JUST SHORN 800.205.4345 www.justshorn.com www.design-guild.com www.dabbiericollection.com blog.dabbiericollection.com ILVA www.ilva.com.ar IMAGINE TILE www.imaginetile.com IMAGO FLOORS www.imagofloors.com INTERCERAMIC USA, Inc. 214.503.5500 www.interceramicusa.com INTERNATIONAL VINYL CORPORATION 706.278.8008 www.ivcgroup.com INVISATREAD www.invisatread.com 888.842.3356 JMISH CARPETS www.jmishinc.com JOHNSONITE www.johnsonite.com JUST SHORN www.justshorn.com KAHRS INTERNATIONAL 404.206.9910 www.kahrs.com KAINDL www.kaindl.com KALLISTA www.kallista.com KARLSON HARDWOOD FLOORS 404.422.2264 www.karlsonshardwood.com KRONOTEX USA www.kronotexusa.com LAND PORCELANICO www.landporcelanico.com LAUFEN 800.321.0684 www.laufenusa.com LAUZON DISTINCTIVE HARDWOOD FLOORING 877.427.5144 www.lauzonltd.com Lea Ceramiche www.ceramichelea.com Lilywork Ceramic Ornament www.lilywork.com Liora Manne www.lioramanne.com LUMBER LIQUIDATORS 1-800-HARDWOOD www.lumberliquidators.com

MARC-MICHAELS INTERIOR DESIGN Marc Thee www.marc-michaels.com MARAZZI USA www.marazzitile.com MASLAND CARPETS & RUGS 800.633.0468 www.maslandcarpets.com MEDITERRANEA 305.718.5091 www.mediterranea-usa.com METROFLOR www.metroflorusa.com MILLIKEN CARPET & RUGS 800.528.8453 www.millikencarpet.com MINWAX® 800.523.9299 www.minwax.com MIRAGE HARDWOOD FLOORS FROM BOA FRANC www.miragefloors.com MOHAWK CREDIT 800.2MOHAWK www.mohawkflooring.com MOMENI www.momeni.com MOTAWI TILEWORKS 734 213 0017 www.motawi.com MULLICAN 800.844.6356 www.mullicanflooring.com MYTHIC PAINT 888.714.9422 www.mythicpaint.com NAFCO by Tarkett www.nafco.com North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) www.nalfa.com NATIONAL WOOD FLOORING ASSOCIATION www.woodfloors.org NOURISON www.nourison.com OCEANSIDE GLASS www.glasstile.com OLD AMERICAN LUMBER reclaimedwood@charter.net OSMO Polyx Oil www.osmona.com PARTERRE FLOORING www.parterreflooring.com PERGO 800.337.3746 www.pergo.com QUICK-STEP, INC www.quick-step.com ROBERTEX www.robertex.com www.carouselcarpets.com ROGER OATES www.rogeroates.com ROOKWOOD www.rookwood.com

Join the Fun! Get Your FABULOUS REWARDS

What’s Color Got to Do With It? Jeanette Chasworth, ASID, who is president of the California Pasadena Chapter, has a new book out on color: What’s Color Got to Do With It? Paint Color Ideas to Create Balance and Harmony in Your Home. “Selecting paint color for your home can be a difficult and sometimes scary chore. This book is a step-by-step guide to turn your fear into fun and help you to select a paint color that you will love and you will love to live in. You will learn how to use color to create a mood and how to use that to your advantage to increase your health, make your food taste better, and increase energy.” To order your copy, go to www.fabulousfloorsmagazine.com

VISIT THE FABULOUS FLOORS WEBSITE

abulous Floors continues to work hard to bring you the latest news about flooring options, color, trends, design tips and more. Aside from the printed publication, we are creating innovative digital technologies and applications to bring you the information in new and exciting venues. It’s no secret… technology development costs money, so it’s time for a fundraiser! Fabulous Floors Magazine invites you to visit us at fundable.com Click the link to see pur page: http://www.fundable.com/fabulous-floors-magazine • Read all about Fabulous Floors • Meet the team. • See where we’ve been and where we’re going… With your help we’ll get there!

www.fabulousfloorsmagazine.com... Learn About Us! The RUG GALLERY www.ruggallerycincy.com 513.793.9505 SAINT GAUDENS METAL ARTS 760.891.0300 www.vsgmetalarts.com SHAW INDUSTRIES/ SHAW LIVING www.shawinc.com SAFAVIEH 866.422.9070 www.safavieh.com SCHLUTER SYSTEMS www.schluter.com SCHUMACHER www.fsco.com SENECA TILES www.senecatiles.com SHAMROCK PLANK FLOORING 866.473.3765 www.shamrockplankflooring.com SHAW FLOORS 1.800.441.7429 www.shawfloors.com SICIS The Art factory www.sicis.com SONITE SURFACES www.sonitesurfaces.com SOUTHWIND CARPET MILLS (a division of Cherokee Carpet Ind.) www.southwindcarpet.com 800.272.2808

SPHINX, Div. of Oriental Weavers 800.832.8020 www.owsphinx.com STAINMASTER CARPETS STAINMASTER CUSHION 800.438.7668 www.stainmaster.com STANTON CARPET 516.822.5878 www.stantoncarpet.com STONEPEAK CERAMICS www.stonepeakceramics.com TARKETT www.tarkett.com TERAGREN Fine Bamboo Flooring, Panels & Veneer www.teragren.com 800.929.6333 TILE OF SPAIN® 305.446.4387 www.spaintiles.info TORLY’S www.torlys.com 800.461.2573 TOUCH UP PRODUCTS www.exactmatchwoodtouchup. com 1.855.YOU.TOUCHUP TUFTEX www.shawfloors.com Unique Carpets www.uniquecarpets.com

US FLOORS/NATURAL CORK 800.404.2675 www.naturalcork.com www.usfloors.com VILLEROY & BOCH www.villeroy-boch.com WALKER ZANGER www.walkerzanger.com Wear-Dated Carpet Fiber 800.845.5270 www.weardated.com Wellmade Performance Flooring www.wellmadefloors.com WHITE OAK CARPET MILLS www.whiteoakcarpet.com WICANDERS www.wicanders.com WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND www.woolpremierpartner.com World Floor Covering Association (WFCA www.wfca.org WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND www.wonz.com WUNDAWEVE COLLECTION By Mohawk 800.2.MOHAWK www.mohawk-flooring.com YAREMA MARQUETRY www.yaremamarquetry.com YERRA RUGS www.yerrarugs.com

HOW DOES THIS WORK? It’s easy… choose the amount you’d like to contribute and we’ll reward you! REWARDS With your help, Fabulous Floors Magazine will be able to expand our presence on newsstands and in retail locations, and expand our publishing and appdeveloping capabilities. To reach the next level of our development, we need to bring additional key personnel onto our team and devote more capital to research and product development, as well as marketing and public relations efforts. Your pledge will go a long way to helping Fabulous Floors Magazine reach a wider audience. Thank you for your interest and support! Hurry! The fundraiser deadline is the end of September! Our goal is $25,000 Please contact us if you have any questions Phone: 678.761.5002 Email: margo@fabulousfloorsmag.com

SUMMER 2013

british wool |

It’s Picture Perfect…

Sheep on the Hills, Wool on the Floors BY Bridgette Kelly

FABULOUSfloors

here is a sign for sheep in the United Kingdom; it shows a small sheep inside a red triangle and it can often be seen by the side of the road as you start upon a stretch of open countryside. It basically means, “Watch out…sheep about!”

The beauty of sheep wandering across the hills and countryside is part of my daily drive across the Yorkshire moors that surround my home. The beautiful green hills that allow this free-range habitat also give the sheep their food; in return, they maintain the grass and shrub so it all looks just beautiful! This is nature working its magic! Sheep are seen all over the world grazing contentedly, all the while growing the world’s most incredible natural fibre. Today, I see my local sheep have been sheared; they have been freed of their woolly fleece as the warm weather peaks. The wool heads straight away to the international wool industry, where it will be taken through the many stages that will transform it into carpet, rugs and stunning cloth for interiors. >>

Opposite page background: Shale Dove from the Natural Choice Collection; image courtesy Ulster Carpets.

Elements Organza in Chateau; image courtesy of Ulster Carpets.

SUMMER 2013

british wool | This naturally grown fibre provides the most beautiful, functional, durable, safe and comfortable textilesâ&#x20AC;Ś nature is truly efficient and remarkable in a way that man can never quite achieve. But it is undoubtedly the industry skill with wool that has taken it to the top of the interiors industry. Wool for carpets and rugs is often seen as a luxury item, and yet this is a little misleading because luxury labels are often seen as sensitive. Not so for wool. This is a strong and durable fibre that has proven it can take a lot of pressure. Hotels, airports and major public buildings will use real wool on the floor because it has immense capacity to bounce back, so it will retain its good appearance and also help to resist tracking from footfall, luggage and even wheeled transport. Think again of how wool weathers the external storm; long before it is in a textile product, wool repels all sorts of bad weather. It has a tremendous resistance to soiling, helped along by its natural oils which protect the fibre and also help during spills â&#x20AC;&#x201D; giving you time to blot away the liquid, leaving it clean again. These same oils do not attract the cloying particles that dull other fibres. >>

FABULOUSfloors

Opposite page top: Tyrrelstown by Ulster Carpets, Designed by Red Skye Design; image courtesy of Ulster Carpets, photographed by Gary Parrott. Opposite page bottom: Abbotsford Plaid from Brintons; image courtesy of Brintons. This page: Classic Florals in sweet pea amethyst and true velvet platinum; image courtesy of Brintons.

SUMMER 2013

british wool | Cleaner air is also part of its package. Wool will take control of dust in the air by holding the irritating particles in its microscopic scales until vacuumed away — a benefit to allergy sufferers. How many of us consider safety when we select our interior décor? Not enough, according to the Fire Prevention Services — perhaps all homes would feature more wool if people understood that wool will resist fire, does not easily ignite and actually will often self-extinguish. The flame spread is low and it does not emit noxious fumes. This is all down to the fibre’s amazing bio-structure, which is high in nitrogen and water. My desire to improve the carbon efficiencies of my own home has made me think very carefully about what products I select. Wool is so responsive to a room that it adapts to the humidity level by absorbing the water in the air and creating a comfortable internal atmosphere — not too hot or too cold. This makes it perfect in summer and winter, as it is always working with your room. But when it gets cold, wool flooring will mean you can achieve a temperature that requires less heating — thus, lower energy costs and greater carbon efficiency. Accountability for our planet for future generations is not just a government responsibility — we can all make decisions to choose and use things that have less negative impact. One good choice can make a huge difference, and I believe wool is one of those choices. It is smart, safe, functional and beautiful — as someone said to me the other day: “ If wool did not already exist and someone invented it, with all these fabulous attributes, it would be seen as the best invention…the whole world would be buying it.” Let’s get back to nature; sheep on the hills…wool on the floors…all is right in the world! >>

FABULOUSfloors

West Country by Cormar Carpets; image courtesy of Cormar Carpets.

Classic Florals in Chrysanthemum crimson; image courtesy of Brintons.

Wool is so responsive to a room that it adapts to the humidity level by absorbing the water in the air and creating a comfortable internal atmosphere â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not too hot or too cold.

SUMMER 2013

british wool |

Wool from West Coast to East Coast The carpet and rug industry provides an exceptional range of colour, pattern and textures. The archive of international creativity with wool would fill a whole continent! From the smooth elegance of velvet ranges to the crunchy textures of loop pile, there is something for everyone. If your own look is more individual, you can always choose the bespoke route and have a custom design of your own. Daring colour combinations and fabulously inspiring patterns show how wool engages with every designer look. East Coast trends show the love that designers have for the drama of pattern at floor level, capturing the room in a fabulous framework of wool energy! Equally, wool is perfectly at home as a naturally shaded flooring, too. West Coast styles favour the paler, neutral style, with perhaps a little texture, as well. Creamy white is the natural base of wool, so it is perfect for that look. And we all know that a spacious room covered in luxury pale cream wool carpet is truly a sight to behold. â&#x2013;

FABULOUSfloors

Opposite page: Beaumont in Turtle Dove from the Country House Collection; image courtesy of Ulster Carpets. This page: Classic Florals in Poppy Dusk; image courtesy of Brintons.

SUMMER 2013

Cam

British Wool Member Guide Abingdon Flooring Ltd

Carpets of Kidderminster

Headlam Flooring

Solva Woollen Mill

UNITED KINGDOM 01274 655668 www.abingdonflooring.co.uk

UNITED KINGDOM 01299 827477 www.carpetsofkidderminster.com

UNITED KINGDOM 01827 831520 www.headlam.com

UNITED KINGDOM 01437 721112 www.solvawoollenmill.co.uk

Adam Carpets Ltd

Cavalier Carpets Ltd

Hibernia Woolen Mills

Mr Tomkinson

UNITED KINGDOM 01274 655668 www.adamcarpets.com

UNITED KINGDOM 01254 268000 www.cavaliercarpets.co.uk

USA 562 945 8711 www.hiberniawoolenmills.com

UNITED KINGDOM 01827 831450 www.mrtomkinson.co.uk

Abu Dhabi National

Clarendon Carpets

High Tech Carpets PTY

Weihai Shanhua Carpet

United Arab Emirates www.adnipcarpet.com

UNITED KINGDOM 01675 433046

CHINA www.chinashanhua.com

Associated Weavers UK

Cormar Carpets

AUSTRALIA 0061 3 9889 8893 www.hightechcarpets.com.au

UNITED KINGDOM 01422 341221 www.associatedweavers.net

UNITED KINGDOM 01204 881234 www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Axminster Carpets Ltd

Earth Weave Carpet Mills

UNITED KINGDOM 01297 32244 www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

USA 706 278 8200 www.earthweave.com

Balta Industries N.V.

Fabryka Dywanow Agnella

BELGIUM 00 32 566 22316 www.baltagroup.com

POLAND 00 48 857 409316 www.agnella.com.pl

Bond Worth Ltd

Fleetwood Fox

UNITED KINGDOM 01562 745000 www.bondworth.co.uk

UNITED KINGDOM 01823 667337 www.fleetwoodfox.com

Brintons USA

Gaskell Woolrich

USA 877 332 9013 www.brintons.net

UNITED KINGDOM 01827 831525 www.gaskellwoolrich.co.uk

Brockway Carpets Ltd

Georgian Carpets

UNITED KINGDOM 01562 824737 www.brockway.co.uk

UNITED KINGDOM 01827 831430 www.georgian-carpets.co.uk

Calderdale Carpets Ltd

Wei Hai Haima Carpet Co.

UNITED KINGDOM 01924 487800 www.calderdalecarpets.com

CHINA 0086 631 5188046 www.haimacarpet.com

Kingsmead Carpets UNITED KINGDOM 01827 831424 www.kingsmeadcarpets.co.uk

Langhorne Carpet Co., Inc USA 215 757 5155 www.langhornecarpets.com

Manx Carpets UNITED KINGDOM 01827 831434 www.manxcarpets.co.uk

Mayfield Carpets Ltd UNITED KINGDOM 01706 639866 www.mayfieldcarpets.co.uk

Penthouse Carpets Ltd UNITED KINGDOM 01706 341231 www.penthousecarpets.co.uk

Ulster Carpets Ltd UNITED KINGDOM 02838 334433 www.ulstercarpets.com

Whitestone Weavers Ltd UNITED KINGDOM 01429 892555 www.whitestone.co.uk

Woodward Grosvenor UNITED KINGDOM 0800 526696 www.woodwardgrosvenor.co.uk

Thomas Witter UK Ltd UNITED KINGDOM 01204 374083 www.thomaswitter.com

Wools of Cumbria Carpets UNITED KINGDOM 07979 640131 www.wocc.co.uk

William Pownall & Sons UNITED KINGDOM 01706 716014 www.pownallcarpets.com

Regency Carpets UNITED KINGDOM 028 9127 0900

Ryalux Carpets Ltd UNITED KINGDOM 01706 716000 www.ryalux.com

Please use International Dialing Code prefixes, where appropriate.

FABULOUSfloors

Campaign for Wool Advert_fab floors:Layout 1

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Campaign for Wool

The Campaign for Wool is an initiative by HRH The Prince of Wales to support sheep farmers and the wool textile industry across the world.

Natural . . . Sustainable . . . Beautiful Live Naturally . . . Choose Wool www.campaignforwool.org

THE CAMPAIGN FOR WOOL Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales

SUMMER 2013

COOL TOOLS BY ALEX ROSS

Dear Readers,

Like me, many of you are so squeezed for time that you would do just about anything for an extra hour or two in each day. Obligations to family and work take precedence over everything, of course, and that leaves little time for life’s luxuries — especially shopping! But us busy folks still love a beautiful home — and thanks to some fabulously fashionable websites, we can go “virtual shopping” and still have an amazing array of gorgeous products to choose from (and at incredible prices, too). Sales on these sites are frequently changed up, and quantities are always very limited, so if you see something you love — snap it up quickly! One Kings Lane (www.OneKingsLane.com) was started in 2009 by two female entrepreneurs who wanted to offer beautifully designed furnishings at exceptional prices to people who are passionate about their homes (but don’t have time to go out and find them). Looking at their recent offerings, they’ve succeeded! Each day, new sales are offered — in creative groupings like “Style Your Workspace” and “The Warm & Welcoming Kitchen.” Joss and Main (www.JossAndMain.com) offers “a daily dose of design inspiration” and the opportunity to purchase high-end brands at up to 70 percent off. Their sale events usually last just three days and offer everything from “Colorful View Luxe Fabric Panels and Valences” to “Beach Boutique Seaside Chic Furniture Designs.” 55 Downing Street (www.55DowningStreet.com) touts great deals on “designs hand-picked from around the globe,” including “Big Style Small Space” and “Outdoor Oasis.” There’s really something for every room, every style and every budget on these sites. Sign up — free — just by entering your email address, and you’ll get emails alerting you to the deals of the day. Whether you’re searching for something as small as a throw pillow or as large as a new sleigh bed, if nothing else, these sites offer a bit of retail therapy in the middle of a hectic day. Happy shopping, friends! Alex

FABULOUSfloors

BRILLIANT IDEAS,

Beautifully Expressed.

Kitchen Barnwood™ BARNWOOD™ replicates weather-beaten wood that has withstood time and elements and taken on a unique warm patina all its own. Cracks are evident, while some spots are smooth and devoid of paint. Natural wood graining underscores the realistic appeal. BARNWOOD™ is comprised of four weathered-to-perfection colors. These neutrals are so adaptive - floors and walls; interior and exterior - a multitude of areas can take on the test of time and exposure, and come out the winner. Ragno USA is available at specialty flooring retailers near you.

Bathroom

www.ragnousa.com 888.297.2466

0213-11342-1-MH SmrtStrnSlk_8.25x10.75-FF.indd 1

8/3/12 2:12 PM