Focus: Trends
Trend monitors are in agreement that the geometric patterns in flooring are going to be the big thing this year
By Kay Hill
The world’s largest flooring show Domotex makes it clear that the fashion for highly patterned floors is only just getting started. Its 2017 trend report states: ‘Small or large, geometric and graphic patterns are given a leading role when it comes to flooring. There are no limits to the imagination.’ And at luxury interiors company, Amara, the trend forecast is the same.
‘We have been seeing so much more pattern and detail when it comes to tile and we will continue to see that trend in 2017,’ says interior designer Jennifer Woch of House of J Interior Design. ‘Expect geometric patterns, vintage-feel patterns, colours, and random patterns that can be used in a variety of applications. A punch of patterned tile is the perfect way to add interest and depth to any new space or renovation.’
Italian tile company Fioranese Ceramica has in its Cementine range of tiles a wide selection of geometric designs, from simple black and white patterns through to complex and colourful flooring, all designed by Silvia Stanzani. Cementine Black&White comprises 12 different monochrome geometric designs, designed to be laid as a mix or as single-design tiles
The British have always had a bit of a love affair with monochrome geometrics, admits Alex Holden, managing director at interior design company Oliver Burns: ‘There’s something very classy about the Claridge’s entrance hall look.’ Dara Huang, founder of design studio Design Haus Liberty, agrees: ‘There are lots of ways you can use geometric flooring, but the popularity of it stems from the history of when we used to use very elaborate, decorative tiles in entry foyers. There’s still a desire to have interesting patterns, often in foyer spaces, but modernised into beautiful geometric patterns.’
Colourful geometric designs were popular in the art-deco era, so Martin Brudnizki Design Studio wanted to create a similar feel for the refit of the Thompson Miami hotel in the artdeco section of Miami Beach, Florida (now owned by Hyatt and renamed The Confidante, Miami Beach). Originally, the designer had planned to use carpet tiles, but the decision was made to opt for a cork floor made by Globus Cork as it would be more durable for the busy banqueting and conference area. Globus resized its original cork pattern to create a unique, large-scale, geometric effect to fill the grand scale of the rooms
Designers have long used contrasting square or hexagonal tiles of porcelain or stone to create attractive patterns, but it is advances in materials and technology that have really fired the imagination for the contemporary patterned floors we are seeing today, many of which feature combinations of different materials, multiple colours and different shapes within the same design.
New from Tarkett comes the iD Mixonomi collection that aims to offers architects and designers unparalleled opportunities to push the boundaries with luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). The new collection features a palette of 33 colours developed by international colour expert agency Peclers, inspired by the theme of travel. There are calm and cosy colourways associated with Scandinavian boutique hotels, sumptuous shades inspired by Tuscan pastry-shop windows and bold accents borrowed from the meandering alleyways of an Indian market. The collection comes in almost as many shapes as it does colours, allowing designers to mix and match to create unique designs. Patterns and shapes can be effortlessly combined and they all work perfectly with Tarkett’s existing iD Inspiration standard plank and tile shapes. To help designers create unique floors there will be an online configurator and digital visualiser to enable dynamic pattern and colour combinations
‘The trend for mix-and-match has been brought about by technological advances such as laser cutting and CNC machines that enable you to use a much greater combination of materials,’ says Holden. ‘And it’s not just the precision that is now available, it’s also the cost element. When these technologies first came into use they were very expensive, but now they are accessible and the technology gives increasing scope for designers.’
Toggle is a leading online timetracking software company with headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia. The interior of its new offices was designed by prominent Estonian architect Tiiu Truus of Studio Truus, with help from emerging design talent Annika Liivo. The brief was to create a trendy, dynamic environment that would encourage staff to keep their minds active and creative. Truss used six wood effects and five solid colours from Amtico’s Signature LVT luxury vinyl tile range laid in an eye-catching herringbone pattern. Different accent colours were used to adapt the pattern for various areas in the office to create vibrant ‘zones’
The increasing range of materials is also adding to the design fun. Huang has used Corian cut into big geometric shapes, cut stone slabs with brass trim, more modestly priced vinyl cut into interesting shapes for student accommodation and versatile and eco-friendly Bolon.
The latest trend for mixing different floor finishes and geometries can be seen clearly in this project for the Aqua bar and restaurant in Bristol, designed by Simple Simon Design and made using Kaleidoscope tiles and bespoke shapes from Karndean Design flooring. Simon Jones of Simple Simon split the restaurant into four key areas, each with its own individual design, selecting various wood and stone designs from Karndean’s Art Select, Opus and Knight Tile ranges to create a wow-factor floor that was also able to withstand the wear and tear, spills and slip hazards of a busy bar and restaurant
One of the biggest trends in geometric floors is for chevrons, and Huang likes to use the pattern to blend materials, such as wood and Corian, into one another. ‘It’s like saying your floor is a piece of art in itself and creates a unique look,’ she says. According to Alex Holden: ‘Geometric floors can be subtle or bold and brash and everything in between. And when you can use combinations of materials you have a lot of design latitude.’
A Colourful flooring from Bolon gives a dramatic, contemporary look to the headquarters of internet company Cisco Meraki in San Francisco, California. The new floor was designed by local flooring specialist Conklin Brothers and features 1,350 sq m of Bolon flooring in a whole range of colours and textures, including elements from Bolon’s Sisal range that mimics the natural texture of sisal matting. Shades of green, combined with occasional break-out areas of wood, help to bring the outside in, encouraging a creative and healthy working environment
Tom Dixon has recently created his first carpet collection, Industrial Landscape, for Ege Carpets, and explains the appeal: ‘I am obviously very interested in the materiality, and the carpet in itself is an extraordinary thing when you see the tufting process and the selection of the yarn. But I am interested beyond the material and the kind of impact it has on the architectural perspectives. Colour is a very powerful thing as is pattern, particularly when you use it in large expanses, as you do with a contract carpet.’
Designer Tom Dixon was inspired by the gritty patterns of London in his Industrial Landscape collection for Ege Carpets. ‘We have created a deconstructed brick pattern, a pattern inspired by the railway lines of London and one that refers to the Thames and the grey muddy water of the river,’ explains Dixon. ‘We also have a pattern that has more to do with down-market aesthetics in the form of crazy paving. So, the collection is a series of patterns and textures that come naturally from the building process or the erosion process.’ Ege carpet tiles have an ecofriendly backing made from recycled water bottles and use Econyl yarn made from discarded fishing nets. The carpet shown is Brick in green
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the trend is the extent to which bright colours are being adopted, especially in the hospitality industry and in young tech companies where a colourful environment is believed to sharpen the mind and promote creativity.
With this vision in mind, Tarkett is about to launch iD Mixonomi, a huge range of different colours and shapes of vinyl tile that can be visualised by an online program. Florian Bougault, Tarkett art director, explains: ‘It’s an ambitious collection – a real game-changer for modular vinyl flooring – with a design aesthetic that is bold, creative and playful, with endless opportunities to create unique flooring schemes.’
