Homes Plus Scotland March-April Edition 09

FLOORING TRENDS 2009

'' Because of it's permanent nature, people can often freak out when it comes to choosing a floor covering, but, define your needs early on and you can't go wrong'' says Trendenza's Becki Linley

When shopping for a floor covering, the same considerations should be made as with any change in decor. First, familiarise yourself with what styles are available at the moment-interior magazines like this one, along with the internet, make a great place to start. For most people, the eventful choice will be on the floor for a considerable amount of time, so it is definitely worthwhile spending a little time researching to make sure you end up with something you are happy with. Then ask yourself the key question, ''What is the primary function of the room'', these two principles-the kind of flooring you want and the kind of flooring you need-will determine the style and texture of flooring you choose. For example, a high traffic area like a hallway might need a hard wearing surface in a dark material that will hide any wear and tear, while your bedroom perhaps demands something in a luxurious colour, soft and warm underfoot. Whatever your requirements, there's a myriad of choices out there...

CARPETS
Last year saw rugs and carpets experience an impressive resurgence and emerging trends for 2009 show no signs of this abating. The reappearance of luxurious and textural home interiors has seen consumers veer away from the austere minimalism of laminate flooring. While the virtues of laminate and vinyl flooring cannot be denied (they are unquestionably the floor covering you'd most like to spill a glass of wine on!!), the warmth and personality that arguably only coverings such as carpet or well positioned rugs can provide has been missing in homes as of late. One of the great things about carpet is that it can suit any budget.

On the more exclusive side of the spectrum, Rylux has just designed a gorgeous collection of carpets taking inspiration from the jewellery gallery of the Victoria and Albert Museum, for it's V&A Twist Collection. Consisting of 70 colours, the palette is evocative of the gems that inspired then, including African Emerald, Pink Diamond and Mexican Fire Opal. The range is available at various stockists throughout Scotland, priced from £34 per sqm. In my opinion well worth splashing out on for a touch of luxe living. Also try; Wool Mississippi range in walnut and amber by Crucial Trading from Trendenza, priced at £52.50 psqm

RUGS
Sometimes to really put a stamp on a room, nothing can be more expressive than a design inspired rug. Today's interior designers understand this dynamic, and the look of 'floor art'- which is fast becoming the new terms for rugs-is getting braver by the season. Designers such as Paul Smith, Neisha Crossland, versace, Missoni and Marco Piva are creating unique and desirable statement rugs and floor coverings. Marco Piva has designed a particularly stunning collection for Ege Carpets. The inspiring range of floor art is based on themes of time, space and surround and comes in a startling array of designs and up-to-the minute colour variations.

TILES
Ceramics are fast becoming a popular choice for entrances, Kitchens, Living and Entertaining spaces. They are highly durable, fantastically easy to maintain and come in a magnitude of options to suit a variety of budgets. Top ceramic manufacturers in Italy, Spain and Portugal are working with credited design teams across the globe to not only predict but influence trends in the UK.

For those of us that carve that all important 'Wow' factor ( and are not restricted by budget), Sky Tech's Liquid Floor-new to the UK-is an innovative line of floor coverings in which two non-toxic coloured liquids create variable and individual colour combinations, where the optical effect changes with every step. The Liquid Floor range starts at £204.35 for a 22x25cm tile.

HARDWOOD and ECO ALTERNATIVES
Hardwood has always been popular but there are now many flooring options available in the marketplace for those that want to be environmentally friendly.

Even the trend for recycling is extending to flooring, with reclaimed wood and bamboo becoming widely available. As well as being better for the environment these products can provide character and texture to your home. Reclaimed Flooring sourced from around the world comes in a plethora of hardened woods and an exotic range of timbers, which can add a sense of uniqueness to your room setting. The imperfections and provenance of these timbers add to their character and appeal, though the cost can be somewhat restrictive if you are working to a tight budget.

On the other end of the scale is Linoleum. Produced from renewable materials, linseed oil, rosins, wood flour, jute and ecologically responsible pigments, linoleum is environmentally sound and often inexpensive. Kirkcaldy based Forbo Flooring is a world leader that develops and produces linoleum and cushioned vinyl flooring that comes in a vast selection of colours and designs. Bamboo is one of the hardest natural materials available. It is a fast growing grass rather than a wood and therefore can be harvested more regularly, making it more environmentally friendly than some timbers.

As bamboo is renewable resource and comes in different grades consumers are becoming more aware of its sustainability, making it a desirable floor option. Prices can vary depending on style but ranges start from around £15.95 psqm