Award

Edifice line from Tarkett Company. Human Connections Collection from Interface Canada. DECEMBER 2017 | 39 Carpet Carpet trends take inspiration from nature and prove to be an eco-friendly alternative by LAURIE JONES We've Got You Covered T he 2017/2018 palette of colours from carpet manufacturers has expanded from greys to bold tones, offering a wide choice for designers and consum- ers alike. Tarkett reflects the new approach in several of its lines. "We continue to see grey as a staple in all facets of design," says Traci Kloos, director – design and customer experience. "The hue is becoming warmer, which reflects the desire for more cozy and comfortable environments. Grey is being paired with warm neutral beige tones that create a complex juxtaposition of warm and cool tones. This complex palette of sophisticated neutrals is present in both residential and commercial applications." Kloos adds they are also seeing a resurgence of bold colour mixing with the grey palette. "The colours are rich and saturated, reminiscent of a Flemish painting from the 16th century. The bold jewel tones are being used as an accent to add depth and dimension to the grey foundation of an interior palette." Examples of these warm and cool greys can be seen across Tarkett's products, including soft surface and resilient. "Several of our newest soft surface launches mirror this ongoing grey trend, with Edifice, Alleé, our Area Rugs and IslandGate all available in a palette that features a variety of warm and cool greys," says Kloos. Interface offers more opportunities to create positive spaces with its introduc- tion of two new global collections, Global Change and Human Connections. Designed as individual collections, both use nature as a muse and provide the inspiration needed to create positive human impact indoors through a connection to the out- doors. Global Change and Human Connections also harmonize with existing and future designs in the Interface portfolio and pair gracefully, without transition strips, with Interface luxury vinyl tile (LVT) hard flooring. "The best spaces are designed from the ground up to foster creativity, inspire pro- ductivity and help people feel more in touch with their purpose," says Chip DeGrace, Interface chief design officer. "Both Global Change and Human Connections deliver their own unique esthetic. Global Change offers a sophisticated but organic global feel, while Human Connections provides an edgy, urban grit, associated with tight- knit and modern communities." Global Change is comprised of seven face styles available in six organic colour palettes. Progression I, Progression II and Progression III, the collection's founda- tional planks, offer three gradated base textures at three different price points and pile heights. Designed by David Oakey of David Oakey Designs, Human Connections is like a neighbourhood, whether leading pathways for zoning, wayfinding or crossing points, which all foster interaction. This concept of the collection is a broader offer- ing than a traditional, single surface with choices of colours and patterns. Shnier has launched two carpet tile collections for 2017: Galactic, a 24-inch by 24-inch square tile; and Relay, the company's first commercial plank tile at 18-inch by 36-inch. "Both Relay and Galactic share four colour waves that have warmer taupes, modern green and blue accents, and they are right on trend as presented by the Color Marketing Group," says Kerri McKean, product manager, carpet and under- cushion. "Greys are still here, but they are warming up and becoming warmer tau- pey tones of grey, and accent colours are getting brighter." McKean notes both Galactic and Relay are manufactured with solution dyed nylon and are very green, and they contain a substantial amount of recycled con- tent. "Our carpet products all meet the highest air quality standards in the indus- try, they are all CRI Green Label Plus certified to have the lowest VOC emissions," McKean says. Other industry benefits for carpet tiles include ease of installation, ease of repair (replacing tiles), and ease of delivery to job sites because they are in cartons and ship on pallets. While hardwood or solid surface flooring in homes is popular, McKean says con- sumers will quickly be looking to purchase area rugs to anchor the room, and add some art for the floor. "All broadloom [rolled carpet] can be cut to size and bound to make beautiful high-quality area rugs, and they are different than the selections at local big box retailers. Carpet is still the quietest, warmest and most comfortable flooring surface in the home. It now comes in the most luxurious soft yarns, and beautiful colours and patterns." Contrary to the current flooring myths that carpet contributes to asthma, there have been further studies that carpet is actually healthy for people with allergies and breathing difficulties, says McKean. "It actually holds dust and keeps it from the air between vacuuming. With solid surfaces, the dust is free to move and be dis- turbed by every step."

• Cover