Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/177297
Texture can be just as important to users as colour and pattern, observes Joe Pimentel, product manager for SHNIER . "Softer-feeling carpet is the trend. Polyester is gaining ground because of its stain resistance and incredible softness," he explains. SHNIER's new Richmond Senses collection engages more than just the sense of touch, though: made with special TruResist fibre, created with heat-set technology and a minimum 5.5 twist per inch, the carpet is literally impenetrable to stains. This gives the carpet a natural memory for great performance and longevity, while odour-control technology, which neutralizes bacteria naturally, makes it a great fit for high-traffic areas. "It appeals to your sight, touch and smell," says Pimentel. "The Richmond Sense collection offers the benefits of carpet without having to worry about its performance and durability." When it comes to area rugs, customers are looking for a statement piece, and Colin Campbell delivers. "Increasingly, designers and architects are choosing carpets with bold colours and dramatic patterns to serve as the design inspiration for a space," says rug curator Jenni Finlay. "No longer considered a design afterthought, carpets set the tone and define the esthetic of the space." With the popularity of hard surfaces in many of today's projects, more Carpet p38-41Carpet.indd 41 designers are selecting hand-knotted rugs "to infuse energy into corporate environments." This year's area rugs (like those by designers Zoë Luyendjik and Jan Kath) are being reinvented to fit commercial applications with careful colour selection and placement, using the highest-quality weaving techniques in the industry. The result is the luxury of a handmade piece in a space that demands durability and longevity. Sustainability is an important quality when searching for the perfect carpet, says Colin Campbell president Chris Dragan: "Wool carpets, an area in which we specialize, are made entirely or almost entirely of renewable resources. It is increasingly being recognized as an advantage by the market as the synthetic producers spend time, money, SHNIER's Richmond Senses collection, Silken Wonder, pictured in Sensible Hue. energy and water trying to repurpose initially unsustainable products." play their role behind the scenes. Today, as consumers look for Antron's® Todd van der Kruik, the company's director of low-VOC options, companies like Mapei are stepping up to the innovation, is also noticing a trend toward the handmade plate with new products. Mapei's Ultrabond Eco 885 is presesthetic. He notes, however, that in today's market, which is sure-sensitive and designed to work with polyolefin-backed filled with options, that "there are few boundaries in terms carpets, carpet tile and broadloom carpet, all while helping of design capability." Antron performance fibre has to remain builders meet LEED standards (Ultrabond contains recycled versatile. "As carpet profiles are reduced, leaving less fibre to content). "Technical advancements are difficult in this indussupport the construction, the pressure to perform is colossal," try because it is already at a relatively simple and cost convan der Kruik says. "The Antron brand continues to innovate, strained level," says Jeff Johnson, FCIS product manager for bringing performance and beauty to all levels of design." 105 Mapei. "The majority of installers still choose a carpet trowel new colours of fine denier solution dyed nylon were launched and a bucket of glue: after all, a trowel does not get plugged this year, allowing even more tools at designers' disposal. up, cost a fortune or require an electrical outlet to run. The Advancements in carpet technology aren't always obvi- demand for cleaner and even lower VOC materials is where the ous: adhesives are a necessity in the world of carpeting, but technological advancements will be going forward." ■ december 2012 /41 11/16/12 3:25 PM