News
Going “Downtown”
Los Angeles based Emser Tile prides itself in delivering “first-to-market” products. That descriptive quote (taken right from the Emser Tile website) intrigued me, so I decided to research it further to see just how they could substantiate such a powerful statement. What I found out is that Emser Tile has quite a presence domestically. Currently there are 55 sales and service locations, 2 distribution centers, and over 2 million square feet of warehouse space. Now that’s a commitment! But just as important, Emser has carefully...
read moreDefining Paradigm Sheet Vinyl Flooring
I love when I can tell you about a product so new, that samples are just arriving this week from the manufacturer. The contract market is going to be pretty excited to see the newest heterogeneous sheet vinyl created by Mannington Commercial. It’s the Paradigm Collection and includes three nature-fresh patterns. Streamline is an organic inspired linear pattern that runs in a north/south direction. Flow is an east/west directional pattern that captures the look of grass cloth. And lastly, there is Intersect, a subtle basket weave...
read moreIn the Spotlight – Rite Loom Flooring
How awesome to achieve an 80th anniversary celebration! In any realm, eight decades is a hallmark not many people achieve in the business world. On February 20, 2014, Rite Loom Flooring in Anaheim, California accomplished that impressive milestone. In 1934 the original owners of Rite-Loom Flooring (the Bullinger family) opened their first carpet store on Whittier Blvd. in Montebello. In the 1950’s post war business boomed as wall-to-wall carpeting was a luxury no one wanted to be without. Rite-Loom stocked a big inventory in their busy...
read morePet-Friendly Floor Coverings
Our pets are part of the family and we love having them inside with us, especially during the winter. It seems like every family in my neighborhood has at least two dogs, and right now, my sweet little kitten is cuddled up next to me while I write this blog. So, it occurred to me that I have never, ever seen an article (or blog) dedicated to floor coverings that can forgive your pet a mistake or two. CARPET You really don’t have to give up the warmth and comfort of carpet to accommodate pets. You may have to vacuum more often to...
read moreIt’s Another World (of Flooring, That Is)
By Annette Callari, ASID; CMG I try my best to keep on top of flooring trends in the U.S., but just for fun, I ventured beyond to do a little research on what’s happening in the U.K. and I love the flavor of the product development that emanates from that side of the pond. Here’s some highlights from a House & Garden (UK version) blog that I came upon, offering new flooring ideas–some great, some not so great–but all of them FUN. The compilation of ideas was assembled by Alaina Vieru for her April House & Garden blog. I am...
read moreDesign Notebook – What’s Going on With Wood Flooring?
One of the most frequently asked questions by design clients (and friends at parties) is what’s new in the direction of woods for floors and cabinets? It’s true, even when designers are off duty, friends can’t resist the opportunity for a free consultation. It’s okay, because usually it’s just a quick question or two. Honestly, like doctors, when designers are off duty, they really are off duty. We are not rearranging your home in our minds, or creating a mental report card of what was done well (or not). Designers have a well...
read moreFiery Floor Fashions
Contract carpets continue to exert influence on residential carpet design. This is a trend that has been in place for several years now, and growing in importance. Contract patterns, colors and constructions are all making their way to the residential side and consumers seem to love it. Form follows function is the guiding tenet behind commercial carpet design. With function being a critical factor, carpet constructions have to be durable. Mannington Commercial Mills just released a new contract carpet that is shockingly an oxymoron! ...
read moreTaking Flooring Back to School
It’s always an honor to be invited to speak to interior design students. Orange Coast College in Southern California was my destination last week to give a presentation to the Design Department Materials and Resources class. As these students are broadening their knowledge in so many areas of design, I recommended that they start a personal “resource file” to organize their material discoveries from A to Z. “F” being the focus of the day, I did an in-depth presentation on floor covering materials (of course) addressing both...
read moreFlooring Purchase Priorities by Generation
It is more than amazing that buying habits can be defined by generation. Take that a step further, and marketing surveys can now define what affluent members of each generation value and where they are likely to spend their dollars. Baby Boomers (ages 50 to 69) include nearly half of all millionaires in the United States (around 10 million actually). The priorities for this generation revolve around security and safety. As that translates to their homes, they are not spending money frivolously and don’t care much about impressing...
read moreAssessing opportunities in China; the market, logistics and consumer buying habits
As a consultant to the global floor covering industry I talk to manufacturers about shifting markets and how to reach new opportunities. The fastest growing and yet most mysterious market is Asia where the demand for all products, including floor covering, is rapidly rising. It’s no secret that China’s market is expanding at unheard of rates and some floor covering companies have already made the leap to China. In fact, US exports of floor covering to China increased 36.8% over the first eight months of 2011, according to Stuart Hirschhorn...
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