The Latest International Floorcovering Trends

Nature’s staying power is acknowledged as the latest international floorcovering trends nod to Mother Earth and her wellbeing properties.

As witnessed for many previous trend cycles, bringing the outside in is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also beneficial to health. Colour psychology can be used to demarcate areas, create an illusion of space, and most impressively, improve wellbeing through the creation of a safe environment. Humans need stability to relax, and the references to natural world via brown tones, green accents and natural materials – or indeed imitation materials that evoke the real thing – that are being introduced by leading brands such as Ege, Domus and Nanimarquina, satisfy this need for being in touch with nature. Acknowledging the increasing need for natural wood, engineered laminate and vinyl planks, UK-based Domus has recently dedicated an entire showroom floor to the specification of Pergo solutions. The wood products are available in a variety of grading, colours and formats, from a pale, smooth ash to a dark, rustic oak, while the engineered laminate collection offers 80 decors and seven different surface textures to enhance the authentic look of wood and stones. Finally, the vinyl offering presents 40 wood and stone-effect designs with an innovative, naturalistic embossed texture and true-to-life detail.

Looking to textiles, Ege’s ReForm Legend Broadloom combines the layered, organic textures of the forest floor with sustainable production. All of Ege’s ReForm ranges are Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Silver and created using Aquafil’s Econyl yarns, produced from used fishing nets. The Legend collection is a contemporary interpretation of folklore and enchanted woods, with the multi-level loop texture inspired by tree bark laying beneath a blanket of simple, organic pattern. Abstract, but equally as relevant is Monsieur Cristian Lacroix’s recent collection for Ege: Atelier. One of three sub-themes, Mineral takes the lead from Lacroix’s passion for collecting stones, one of nature’s most elemental materials. The natural beauty is brought to interiors through a theme embracing beautiful mosaics of beach stones, chaussé stones and quarry tiles. Speaking to Sleeper at the launch, Lacroix commented: “When I started collaborating with Ege, I discovered that anything is possible. I entered a limitless world. To me the carpet is a way of communicating; it’s like words, it’s like music. It changes the surface, and can transform a space to make it seem larger, wider or smaller.”

Jaime Hayon’s latest design for Nanimarquina meanwhile was inspired by a birds eye view on the earth during a flight between Perth and Sydney, Australia. Hand-tufted and with a base tone of calming beige, the designs depict Hayon’s imagination: fish, lips, turtles and half man-half bird figures, all comprised using woollen fluid lines and organic compositions. Staying with the Barcelona-based brand, its Shade collection also takes inspiration from the natural world. Designer Begüm Cana Özgür speaks about the influence of natural design aspects on physical wellbeing: “The handmade flatweave rug generates an incredible and well-rounded diffusion of colour. The surface releases a sense of tranquillity and wellbeing that is balanced by the penetrating vibration of colours.” Far from a passing trend or fad, nature continues to influence interiors, cementing its place in the mind of interior designers and specifiers alike.

MANDARIN STONE 

Chicago 

Renowned for its comprehensive natural stone collection, Mandarin Stone has recently launched its porcelain range. Introduced this year, Chicago offers an industrial feel for open-plan spaces, with the solution being more practical than a poured concrete floor. Numerous sizes are available, including an extra large 120x120cm, and two authentic concrete shades. The collection also includes a decor tile and mosaic options. www.mandarinstone.com

DOMUS 

Loop 

Loop is an artisanal, tactile product with a textural look that replicates the striking appearance of end-grain wood flooring. Available in a black or white natural finish, the character and irregularities of end-grain wood are key aspects of the design. Size options include one regular size or a modular size mix. Loop is an extruded handcrafted product made from natural raw materials, enhancing the individual aesthetic, differentiating it from standard industrial products. www.domustiles.co.uk

ICE INTERNATIONAL 

Shangri-La, Dubai 

One of the leading hotels in Downtown Dubai, Shangri-La features interiors by HBA Atlanta, and an abundance of hand tufted carpet by ICE. For the elegant refurbishment, ICE supplied 100% wool, handcarved designs for the hotel’s lobby lounge and coffee station. www.rugs.nl

DESSO 

Desso&Ex 

Comprising 115 designs, Desso&Ex takes inspiration from the world of art in muted, weathered colours and multi-layered patterns. Each combination of colour and pattern presents a unique ambience, whether it is a calm and soothing backdrop in quiet areas or a more vibrant and upbeat atmosphere in social spaces. All Desso rugs can be seamlessly combined with Tarkett’s LVT and wood flooring, offering increased flexibility for a variety of interior design schemes. www.desso.co.uk

WILTON CARPETS 

Kit Kemp Range 

A collaboration with Kit Kemp, this made-to-order range introduces nine designs that draw from an array of inspiration within folklore, architecture and botanical motifs. Speaking to Sleeper, Kemp comments: “Our aim was to bring a handcrafted feel into mass production. With the new loom at Wilton, we could explore a new look to give the same impression that a hand-blocked or Batik fabric would give in colour, scale and feel.” www.wiltoncarpets.co.uk

NANIMARQUINA 

Shade 

Designed by Begüm Cana Çzgür, the Shade collection is inspired by magical moments in nature where colours melt and speak for themselves. A complex technical process is used to achieve the density, regularity and fluidity of the design, which sees two gradients converge in each rug, one vertical and one horizontal. The rugs are handmade and flat woven, generating a well-rounded diffusion of colour and tranquillity. Shade is available in three ombré palettes: turquoise to eggplant, russet to Klein blue, and raspberry to forest green. www.nanimarquina.com

EGE 

ReForm Terra 

Inspired by looking at earth – in Latin, terra – the latest collection from Ege references wild forests that transform into a palette of greens, blending in an abstract, organic shaped motif. Oceans meet in dramatic and extremely powerful bluish points, while dry desert mixes all shades of orange, red and brown. The multidimensional carpet construction adds a textural look and feel to the design, which is available in nine colours and as broadloom or tile. ReForm Terra is made of Econyl yarns, produced using fishing nets and waste material. www.egecarpets.com

FORBO 

Flotex 

Following the installation of a new stateof- the-art digital printer at Forbo, the latest Flotex flocked flooring range features enhanced vibrancy and depth throughout its colour palette. With the hardwearing durability of a resilient floorcovering, yet comfort of a textile, the range is available in either plank, tile or sheet format and features 70 million fibres per m2. The Flotex Vision design is a prime example of the brand’s evolving capabilities, with the product featuring digitally printed designs, from realistic pebble beaches to contemporary floral patterns to custom designs. www.forbo.com

TOP FLOOR 

Fanfan 

One of two new rug designs from Topfloor by Esti, Fanfan is handtufted in black and charcoal using wool and bamboo silk in alternating rays. Acting as the yin to the yang of Topfloor’s Cancan design, both rugs have been made using Wools of New Zealand’s Glacial yarn technology, thus allowing whiter wool without the damaging effects of bleach. Both designs are customisable and can be ordered in any size, shape or colour. www.topfloorrugs.com

AXMINSTER 

Brasserie Blanc 

Located at Highcliffe Marriott Hotel in Bournemouth, Brasserie Blanc features a modern yet casual décor complete with mural wallpaper and deep-buttoned sofas. Axminster Carpets has create a contemporary twist on a classic, respecting the history and characteristics of the location to create a carpet with engaging, monochrome stripes, echoing the vibrant atmosphere. www.axminster-carpets.co.uk

Sources: Sleeper, 01-02, 2018

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