Q+A
Ekland sisters Annica and Marie – the latest generation in the family-run business of Bolon – talk flooring trends and more.
Words by Clare Dowdy
More than 60 years ago, Bolon started transforming textile waste into rag rugs. The family-run company, which weaves vinyl into flooring, now has an annual turnover of €27m, and a client list including Radisson Blu in Amsterdam, Oslo and Nice, Google in the UK, UNICEF's headquarters in the Netherlands, and Airbus in Toulouse. Bolon is managed by sisters Annica and Marie Eklund, granddaughters of the founder. All design and production is carried out in Ulricehamn, Sweden.
Sisters Annica and Marie Eklund
What type of commercial environments and spaces does Bolon flooring particularly lend itself to?
Easy to clean, and highly durable, it's suited to a variety of spaces, such as hotels, offices, shops, museums, hospitals and airports. The choice of colour and pattern is also really attractive to 'high-design' spaces, such as Chanel in Paris. We anticipate our new collection Bolon By You being specified in more specialist and smaller spaces, as designers realise how fantastic flooring helps create an outstanding space, and that with this new collection they can create their perfect vision.
Bolon products were specified for the Google UK HQ
Are there any spaces that your flooring is not well suited to?
Bolon's flexibility as a vinyl flooring means it can be cut to fit any area and awkward space. We wouldn't recommend Bolon for outdoor use.
Bolon products were specified for the Google UK HQ
What are the trends in flooring that you have noticed? What are commercial clients looking for, and why?
What we see is a trend for more patterns again, and more daring colour combinations. While of course the minimal look will always be classic, a great deal of interest can be created with texture through jaquard-woven patterns.
Brighter colours and interesting combinations are becoming more in vogue as well. Designers understand that flooring is a primary material, and while there are practical requirements of durability and flexibility, beautiful design is also essential.
