Flooring
Trends Are Timeless
When it comes to flooring trends, Clarry Miller,
general manager of The Floor Club in Bonita Springs, has seen them all.
“No matter what the `hot’ trends are in flooring, there are
mainstays that are tried-and-true and which never go out of style. High
end flooring is what endures and never goes out of style.”
One classic floor covering trend which suits all of the popular décor trends, from Mediterranean to classic Tuscan, are hand-scraped and distressed hardwood floors. These floors are a newer trend, but are rooted in history. Before today’s modern sanding methods, floors were traditionally 4 hand-scraped on-site in order to make floors flat. Today’s hand-scraping is done to add texture, richness and unique characteristics, which instantly add Old World charm to any decor. Hand-scraped floors have become a popular choice for homeowners who desire hardwood flooring with the look of an older, reclaimed wood floor with today's finest finishes. These floors look stunning and impart the appearance and character of a time-worn hardwood floor in a variety of woods including cherry, hickory, maple, oak and walnut.
“From a design standpoint, there is an emerging trend related to wood flooring with distinctive character,” explains Miller. “Methods of achieving this character can be hand-distressing, hand-carving, or using a number of different finishing techniques, one of which is French bleeding. It has the look of stained wood, but all of the nuances of the wood, the nooks, creases and knots are a deeper tone. It looks as if the wood had been smoked or slightly charred. The individual effects are quite stunning.”
Wide plank flooring, available in a wide range of both exotic and domestic species, also continue to be popular. “When installing any of these hardwood floors, the single most effective way to customize them is to incorporate a border or center medallion into your design,” explains Miller, “The visual interest in the floor is instantly raised to the next level. By incorporating complimentary wood inlay in a daring or traditional pattern, the homeowner is imparting a bit of his or her own personality to the room and making a definite statement.”
As to color trends in flooring, Miller says, “We’re still seeing the Mediterranean and Tuscan influences as the driving force behind design concepts. There is the use of rich colors and designs, coupled with a strong influence of both exotic stone and marble. Marble has always made a statement, but currently the exotic marbles are outselling the standard marble, which creates an avenue for people to explore their creativity.”
The use of marble, travertine and granite, used alone or incorporated with glass, ceramic, unglazed porcelain or mosaic tiles, has always been used to individualize floors. According to Miller, “Mixing traditional flooring materials with glass and custom mosaic tiles are being used more commonly in order to create a custom appearance in every application, from shower stalls and backsplashes to medallions and murals. It’s by far the easiest way to dress up a room, add a decorative punch to any area and to create a focal point.”
These tiles are available in a wide spectrum of colors and shapes and textures and allow you to reflect your personal style, to create a living space that is a true reflection of you and your lifestyle.
In addition, ceramic tile exhibits a versatility of colored glazes and decoration, and can range from simple terra cotta tiles to highly decorated individual ceramic tiles creating intricate mosaics. The choices are almost endless. Whether the ultimate selection is a simple layout, or a decorative patterned design, flooring tile is an important element in defining the character of the home. While natural materials rule the day, there will always be certain rooms that lend themselves to carpeting. The Floor Club offers a truly extraordinary selection of broadloom, roll runners, and custom rugs.
Recently rugs have taken a turn towards more handmade and intricate designs that are works of art,” says Miller. “These one-of-a-kind rugs have become more popular than those that are machine made. Imported items with a regional or tribal influence seem to be a driving force in design trends just now. Even in machine made broadloom rugs, the trend is leaning away from a monotone look and going toward patterns in wall-to-wall carpeting.”
These broadloom rug patterns can run the gamut from traditional to animal motifs, tartans and jacquard. These premium carpets are woven exclusively from the highest quality wool, the finest of natural fibers for textural appeal and lasting beauty. The Floor Club collections encompass a remarkable assortment of both transitional and traditional designs, among which you will find the perfect look to complement virtually any style of interior décor.
The Floor Club Showroom operates similarly to wholesale outlets, with limited access to the showroom based on a “member’s only” customer 4 format. The Floor Club membership is offered exclusively to industry professionals. If you’re an architect, designer, builder, contractor or other trade professional, you’re the Floor Club’s reason for being. Members of the public are invited to contact the showroom for list of licensed decorators, contractors, and installers. The Floor Club always has a wide selection of stone, carpet, wood and glass tile flooring in stock.
The Floor Club
25321 Bernwood Drive, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
239 947-0022
Written by Kristine Hughes
