Hardwood installation problems in condos are not uncommon. When the humidity levels fall too low, gaps between boards grow quite large and in the worst case, boards begin to crack or pull up from the subfloor. As you can imagine, the result is unfortunate and costly for the homeowner.
In the world of flooring, nothing compares to the grace of natural materials: Hardwood, Stone Tile, Cork and Wool Carpet. Most would agree that they make a space feel more warm, inviting and even peaceful. The interesting thing, is that this isn’t just a feeling you get… it is a biological response. More and more evidence is surfacing that reveals the way in which Nature’s presence in human-made spaces positively affects the body and brain.
At this year’s Calgary Fall Home Show, we at Floorscapes got the chance to learn a few tips from Designer-guru, Tommy Smythe. During his presentation at the Fall Home Show, he talked about combining contemporary and traditional decor, designing a unique space for yourself, being courageous and most importantly, seeking out specialists. If you’re planning a renovation or simply want to redecorate, here are some very useful tips straight from the horse’s mouth.
In the past, vinyl used to be synonymous with Linoleum and VCT (Vinyl Composite Tile). Contemporary Vinyl Plank, however, is Vinyl reinvented: it has exceptionally detailed patterns and textures, it has impressive resilience and it is completely impermeable. Given its exceptional look and performance, it is not surprising that Vinyl Plank has become extremely popular in the short time since its release.
When it comes to hardwood, this means that we don’t want the layer of finish to cover the textured and intricate pattern of the wood’s grain. We want those patterns and textures to pop and to feel them underfoot. Enter the new generation of oil finishes—as a result of some impressive recent technological innovations, contemporary oil finishes are very matte, have little to no VOCs, are quite resilient and available in a wide range colours.
For this upcoming Canada Day, we at Floorscapes got thinking about some aspects of our country that are distinctly Canadian, and that ought to be celebrated for their own sake.
In the world of design, furniture and flooring go hand-in-hand. Together they define an interior space with shape, texture, colour and utility. If you choose one with the other in mind, the right combination can make for a very flattering space. But you need to find the right flooring and the right furniture…
…so for decades, it became a toss-up between the two — either buy nylon for its durability, or polyester for its stain-resistance… until the early 2000s. Enter SmartStrand, the carpet that solves this age-old dilemma. It has the durability of nylon and the stain resistance of polyester, and then some. How? By utilizing a new fiber that is engineered to prevent staining and wearing.
When you change an element of the background you change the way the painting’s feature is perceived. The same could be said about a room: the furniture, lights, art and accessories are the focus and the floors, walls and ceilings are the backdrop. And being the largest surface area, and the one on which most objects will sit, the floor plays the largest supporting role in the backdrop.
She confessed to her Calgary audience that she sticks to some pretty simple principles. Thankfully, she was happy to disclose those in the name of her encouraging homeowners to “live in style and love their homes”. Here are three of our favorites and how flooring fits into the picture.
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