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So for everyone who didn’t manage to get on the Designer Day Tour and for our readers who didn’t attend SURFACES in Las Vegas, here is my whistle-stop review of what was trending at the show.. Read the full blog here: http://trendsblog.co.uk/?p=20929.

Ask any wood flooring contractor what the number one problem he or she encounters on the job is, and most will answer “moisture.”  Excess moisture can cause a variety of problems with wood floors, whether the moisture originates from an environmental source, or from a flood caused by a malfunctioning appliance or unattended window.  Whatever the source of the problem, however, dealing with the results of excessive moisture in wood floors requires diligence and skill. 

In most cases, moisture problems can be avoided before they occur by practicing good installation procedures.  The first step in a successful installation is to make sure that the wood to be installed is acclimated to the job site properly.  This means that the job site needs to be as close to normal living conditions as possible before installation begins.  Once the wood is acclimated properly to the job site, it should be tested thoroughly, along with the subfloor, for moisture content.  To get accurate readings, several different pieces of wood from several different bundles should be tested. 

Often, anxious homeowners or builders will try to push wood flooring installers to skip this acclimation process because of scheduling problems.  Contractors need to be firm, and educate their customers about how wood reacts to environmental conditions.  It often is useful to keep pictures on hand that show the results of improper acclimation and moisture testing.  One look at a cupped or crowned floor, representing thousands of wasted dollars, and weeks of messy and costly repair, is often all that is needed to make the point loud and clear. 

Sometimes, despite all the installation precautions taken, moisture still can wreak havoc on a wood floor.  Faulty dishwashers, overflowing sinks, leaky pipes, malfunctioning ice makers, careless homeowners – all these problems can introduce moisture to wood floors, causing significant damage if ignored and untreated.

As a flooring professional, it’s important to know how to diagnose and repair these kinds of moisture-related issues.  This topic – Installation Failures: Tile and Hardwoods – will be discussed at length during SURFACES │StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas on Tuesday, January 24.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Next January at the SURFACES│StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas trade show, we will recognize the best and brightest young, rising stars in the floor covering industry. I borrowed the idea for the “Future Focus Awards” from my own career experience in the ad business. In many larger markets, the 4A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies) local chapter will also have a “Jr. Ad Club” for young professionally-minded account execs, art directors, media planners and the like, ranging from new college grads to late 20’s to mid-30’s. Advertising agency and in-house client-side mentors and bosses will give annual recognition in their respective markets to the best of those young professionals who they nominate. In that way, the ad business encourages excellence and in a public way “takes care of its own.”

Likewise, the floor covering industry is an important and fascinating business that attracts young talent. It’s part design, part engineering, part environmental, part manufacturing, part marketing and sales. It’s a relatively small industry but has enormous impact on the quality of life for all of us, wherever we live, work or play. Just as with the ad industry, the floor covering industry’s most important resource is the people who call it their career home, whether they work for retailers, manufacturers, architects and designers or distributors.

Several months ago, Kemp Harr, publisher of Floor Focus magazine, and I met and decided to launch the Future Focus Awards, along with the generous support of a leading brand in the business, 3M Scotchgard, thanks to Jim Stevens, National Sales Manager. You won’t find a stronger advocate for the industry than Kemp and his wife Anne, the art director for Floor Focus. Together, we developed the Award over the course of many meetings and long hours. The judges for the Future Focus Awards are Jim Stevens, Buddy Jones of E. Jones & Associates, a sales and leadership training company; and Frank Hurd of the Carpet and Rug Institute.

Nominees (must be under age 35 with at least 3 years experience) and their nominators can get more information about the Award and entry forms by visiting http://www.floordaily.net/futurefocusawards/

Deadline for entries is December 23 and the winners will be announced at SURFACES│StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas in Las Vegas, January 24. More information about SURFACES│StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas is at http://www.surfaces.com/attendee/show-information.aspx

At a time in this industry and country when sales and growth are in a slump, we believe it’s time to celebrate the young, talented, ambitious and dedicated individuals in sales, marketing, R&D/product design, manufacturing, employee development/human development, and sustainability, on an industry-wide platform. In spite of current economic circumstances, these individuals are the future of floor covering and the hope of all of us. Let’s look to the future, together.

Message from SURFACES│StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas Show Management:

Paul will share more of his wisdom with you when he and Brian Gracon, PhD present the following session: Making Marketing and Sales Work Together (MO15A) on January 23, 2012 at 1:00pm.  To register, visit: https://registration3.experient-inc.com/showSUR121/Default.aspx.  We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!

 

Following the success of our involvement at SURFACES │StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas the past couple of years, we are pleased to once again be preparing for another hit show in 2012.  

Trends Hub

The Trends Hub, which made its debut this year, was so well received we’ve been invited to co-curate the area again – and we were delighted to recently discover that next year the Hub will be taking a more central location.  We’re already talking about a very exciting new concept with the fabulous Hanley Wood team which will provide a chic setting to showcase the all-important future trends inside.  We’re currently drawing-up the plans to create a Hub that will be both a comfortable and inspiring space for visitors to spend time looking at the trends and the most innovative products from show exhibitors, as well as a destination for chilling-out and meeting-up!  

Victoria Redshaw

 

 In addition, Victoria will be presenting an inspiring 90 minute trend seminar on Wednesday 25^th from 8am – 9.30am, where she’ll start by explaining the forecasting process we follow at Scarlet Opus.  She’ll continue by looking in detail at the Design and Colour trends we’ll see evolve through 2012 into 2013 focusing on the colours, materials, patterns and textures, shapes, surface finishes, and styling that will resonate with consumers over the next couple of years.  

Speed Trending Tour

 

Then from 10am – 11.30am she’ll be conducting another of her whirlwind Speed Trending Tours, jam-packed full of valuable trend information and the best products and innovations from the show through the eyes of a Trend Forecaster.  

So today I want to share a sneak peek at some of the trends we’ll be talking about in January …  

We arrive at 2012 looking at things from a different perspective, a new stand point of positivity and determination to set things right.  A global reboot!  The seasons styles are seductively sensorial: sound waves of patterns, high pitched colours, sharp fractured shapes – we awaken to a new aesthetic.  This is a season of change, chaos, and contradictions; products soothe us, schemes shake us up, patterns reassure us, and colours alarm us.  A beautifully imperfect harmony.  

Portion of Eco Carnival Trends Board

ECO CARNIVAL is a global fusion trend of rhythmic patterns, bright botanicals, and tribal geometrics with a South American beat as Rio takes centre stage for the Earth Summit with a global focus on Sustainability and Green Issues.

Patterns include oversized Amazonian botanical florals and pumped-up tribal geometrics whilst Aztec and African mash-ups set the tone. 

The colour palette is a jungle of lush greens punctuated with exotic bloom brights and fruity accents.  Combinations of Tiger Lily and Turquoise are key.  

Section of Colour Capital Trends Board

 

COLOUR CAPITAL is dynamic, energetic, and uncontained; this trend is super-charged, taking inspiration from contemporary youth culture and London’s unique city style.  

Fractured, angular shapes, bolts of colour, and clashing patterns come together to create this very alive look.  Simple geometrics work well with urban graffiti inspired surface pattern designs, strong colour blocking and Pop Art inspiration.  

The plugged-in colour palette of sporty brights reinforces the energy of this trend and we see a highlighter yellow and clashing pinks and reds working with a concrete, city grey which adds the all-important urban edge.  

Section of the Abyss Trends Board

 

THE ABYSS is an exploration into the depths of the world’s Oceans; the unexplored, the unknown, the extraordinary.  Think illuminations, ultra-violet lasers, and lighting with a shadowy glow; product design and surface textures are inspired by jellyfish, sea urchins, scorpions, and coral whilst surface pattern designs include watermark effects, wave patterns, and Rorschach inspired prints.  

Mysterious, deep sea shades make up the colour palette of ultra and aqua marine, sparkling turquoise, jade, and beautiful lapis lazuli – an important colour of the season – illuminated by ultra violet, with coral and neon accents. 

Section of Majestic Minimalism Trend Board

MAJESTIC MINIMALISM is a perfect marriage of tradition and modernity as it simultaneously takes a look back as it moves ahead. 

Ornate forms and historical references to Baroque and Rococo periods are reworked with a minimalistic styling.  Laser-cut leathers, elegant cut-out wall coverings, and Baroque scrollwork add sophisticated detail to simple products in chalky tones.  

Colours are refined yet majestic: plaster of Paris and foundation tones work with accents of royal red, Princess blue, and tuxedo black.  

And here is an exclusive preview of what things look like in 2013 …  

Aurora Photographed by Frank Olsen

 

Aurora is a well-being trend; it has an ice-cold and silent, very pure beauty.  Our growing obsession with clean air post-Japan’s nuclear meltdown inspires Architects and Designers to look at microscopic medicine, biology and chemistry as we continue to see Biomimetics informing Design.  Coloured spectrums of light bursts make up this palette in an ethereal mix of über pale tints and iridescent shimmer.  

Virtual Reality is hi-tech and confidently intelligent, exploring the new visual language being created by contemporary Light Artists.  Think LED Architecture, urban Laser Projections, and Holokinetic Art.  A move on from Colour Capital in its maturity, this is Plugged-In Sophistication.       

Hotel Puerta America by Plasma Studio

 

Old To New, the season’s new Fusion trend, perhaps more significant than any we have previously explored; bringing together the trend for Simplicity and Self-Sufficiency with an energised integration of technology inspired by plugged-in Urban Homesteaders.  Combining technology and the contemporary aesthetics of fast-paced modern life with rural sensibilities, community spirit, and a nod to nostalgic traditions.

Forces of Nature.  Earth, Air, Fire and Water: At a time when the forces of nature seem to be conspiring against us, International Designers take inspiration from the natural powers of earthquakes, volcanoes, and intense weather systems.  Aspects of hot flowing lava, cracked structures and surface finishes, lightning strikes, and deconstructed forms converge in this trend built on a dark, stormy colour palette. 

Ancient Times explores ancient elements from the great civilisations of the Mediterranean.  This trend projects a beautifully understated grandeur.  Quietly confident simplexity comes in the form of an investigation into sculpted and smooth forms and finishes juxtaposed against the crumbling, crumpled, and peeling layers of architectural ruins.  A fascinating balance between a heavy, monolithic Minimalism is offset by diaphanous and ornate detailing: a purposeful restraint prevails.

Emporium is the elaborate sibling to Ancient Times with a highly embellished, sophisticated glamour.  This is a fusion of the Great Empires as Designers take inspiration from Ancient Queens such as Cleopatra and Empress Theodora.  Expect to see a 1920’s Parisian vibe in Art Deco geo’s alongside Damasks and eastern inspired scrollwork.  Metallic effects work with a rich palette of beautiful jewel tones and an old, aged gold.     

St Hilaire Church by Mathieu Lehanneur

Welcome to the future!  We look forward to seeing you at the show! 

  

They say knowledge is power and, in a marketplace that’s becoming increasingly more competitive and dynamic, it’s critically important to keep learning. Successful floor covering retailers know they have to keep up to compete. That’s why Hanley Wood strives to provide the best and most balanced curriculum as part of S2: Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas to do just that. Read the rest of this entry »