FLOR Tiles | Musings

FLOR Story: Providing Balance

Posted by FLOR | Filed under FLOR Stories, Musings

Dear FLOR,

The hardwood floors underneath my beautiful new FLOR carpet had become hazardously slippery to my sweet three-legged wonder pup, Celia.

Her travels through my home – from area rug in the living room to area rug in the master, for instance – forced her to cross ‘little oceans’ of hardwood floors, where she would often lose her balance and slip, causing pain and potential injury to her one back leg. I know this issue to be a concern for owners of older pets, as well, who see their animals’ balance grow unstable over time, and heartbreaking falls become more common.

I had tried non-slip booties for Celia – really, I had tried everything – as I honestly thought that deploying carpet would be a true sacrifice in style and cleanliness in my casa.

However, after visiting the FLOR Store in Dallas and working with Sean (FLOR’s design consultant at the store), I came away pleasantly surprised. I absolutely LOVE my FLOR carpeting – the gorgeous patterns designed (one for entry and master, another for living – and all flowing seamlessly, smartly together!), the quality of the wool line, the smooth install process.

FLOR warmed up the entry, living and master so much – in terms of both style and coziness. And the flexibility of changing out a tile should there be an accident of any kind (pet? wineglass? : ) is just fantastic.

Celia is SO happy, too. Literally, she stretches out and smiles.

Thanks loads to Sean for his TLC and the amazing design work he did for the new FLOR wool carpeting in my home! I absolutely love the finished product, and have received so many compliments!

-Melinda

Dallas, Texas

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Such a sweet story! For more stories like this one click here. If you have a FLOR story that you would like to share, email it to us at pictures@flor.com and you can receive 10% off your next purchase.

Tags: cozy, designing with pets, FLOR story, FLOR tiles, FLOR.com, pet solutions, soft

Read more | Comments (1) | February 16, 2012

A Change of Plans

Posted by FLOR | Filed under Musings

A couple months ago we were at a photo shoot for the recently-launched Spring catalog. Our designers had the rugs for the photo shoot laid out and a precise set of plans ready to execute. But after arriving and heading upstairs, they stumbled upon this amazing couch, and it completely changed their course.

They were so inspired by the couch they decided to create a plaid rug instead of the neutral one that was planned. They took the compelling geometric pattern from the couch and used it as inspiration to create this beautiful rug below. And as simple as that, this “Plaid” was born, a combination of Toy Poodle tiles (Black, Java and Persimmon) that is both inviting and a real design statement.

In our designer’s case, it was a plaid sofa, but accessories of all kinds can inspire a rug. Here we originally had a more neutral rug but when the styling was complete, it seemed only right to pull some color from the pillow and place it in the rug. This enhanced not only the rug but the whole room. FLOR’s sophisticated color palette can match or complement just about any of your existing décor.

So go ahead, look around the room, find that subtle tone or color in your favorite chair, now create a rug that will fit “just-so” lying next to it. Then share your story with us here – pictures@flor.com.

Design Assistance

If you would like help creating this rug, call 866-952-4093 for complimentary design assistance. We have design consultants on call who can help you customize your own version of Plaid. Or see it in person and work with a Store design consultant at one of our Store locations.

Tags: behind the scenes, colors, FLOR tiles, FLOR.com, neutral, photo shoot, plaid rug

Read more | Comments (0) | February 8, 2012

Kids-play with Scale

Posted by Miriam | Filed under Musings

So awkwardly enough, I’ve had ‘Scale’ in my to-write-about file for over a month now and as I indicated in this post earlier this week, one of my favorite ways to play with scale is to include a very large sized print in a small space. Low and behold, this fantastic space has been all over the shelter blogs recently. The large scale animal wall paper is whimsical on its own, but taken to an even larger extreme, the wall paper becomes a statement.

(source)

While playing with scale sometimes means literally taking something and messing with its natural proportions, it can also refer to the symmetry of all of the items in a space together. For instance, in the vignette below, every piece is generally on the same scale, and when paired with the wainscoting which serves to draw the eye downward, the scale of the pieces together as a whole create a more cozy nook.

(source)

But check it out again when we pan out to see the whole room…

(source)

Turns out that table isn’t a dresser, it’s a night stand! And the chair is a kids chair!! But because within the context of the original photo everything was the same scale, our eyes and minds fooled us into thinking they were larger pieces.

This space (and correct me if I’m wrong..but are those some FLOR tiles I spy?) is a beautiful example of how consistent scale in a room can truly create harmony. Everything from the crib, to the leggy chair, stool and dresser combine to fill the space with symmetry in a cheery, cohesive way.

(source)

Of course, scale can literally be represented in designing spaces intentionally for children. This reading nook uses two slender bookcases that offset the junior-sized chair beautifully.

(source)

Perhaps the most functional purpose of scale in children’s design can be credited to the Montessori method where there is a heavy suggestion of scaling everything a child will use to their size…from the bed to the bookcases to the desk and mirror. This space from SewLiberated is the quintessential study in scale for children’s rooms.

(source)

Lastly, before we leave the subject of scale, I have these two examples of home organization areas. Both are designed with kids in mind, one on a grand scale…

(source)

…the other on a smaller scale.

(source)

Both are functional. Both are whimsical. Both make a statement. Both are beautiful. Which just goes to prove that you can do anything with scale so long as your form and function are balanced.

Tags: baby room, design with kids in mind, FLOR tiles, kids designs, kids room, nursery design, scale

Read more | Comments (0) | January 26, 2012

House Tour: The Barn

Posted by Gina | Filed under Behind the Scenes, Favorites, House Tours, Musings

We often receive compliments from people on our photography and the response is always the same: “Our photography is only as good as the homes we shoot in.” We pride ourselves on our catalog locations and the authenticity they bring to the final product.

We had a catalog shoot that was, in fact, good enough to write home about. Here are a few shots from our most recent Spring catalog and the amazing story behind the location.

A 140-year-old barn originally built in upstate New York and relocated to Waco, Texas for restoration purposes found its resting place in the southwestern corner of Michigan, and we found ourselves inside shooting the FLOR catalog.

The barn was the idea of a couple that was looking to design a space they could call home for the rest of their lives; no small task.

The process began with first finding a company that could fulfill these dreams. Once on board, a complete set of drawings and then a tiny 1”x1” model of the barn allowed them to get a feel for the interior space and how they would use it.

The homeowners wanted to build a modern structure that was live-able but not lose the uniqueness of the barn’s structure.

Once it was confirmed the foundation was sufficient, the restoration team drove the frame and, with the help of a 100-foot crane, the barn raising was complete within 48 hours. After the rafter installation and the “close-in,” the roof was constructed and the homeowners were one step closer to their dream home.

Lighting is always critical in a home (and at a photo shoot) and this barn was no exception as they took great care in selecting the right windows to fit the barn. They “punched out” holes in the plywood and placed the windows and doors into the openings. Included was a large, south facing window that was 12-feet wide and 28-feet tall. This provides not only superior visibility but also a high level of energy efficiency with windows that offer solar control. It has 95% blockage of UV light and in the summer significantly reduces heat gain. Not to be outdone, in the winter the inside of the windows remain approximately 30-40 degrees warmer than the outside.

The last “step” in the home restoration/renovation was a unique twist on stairs. They built a traditional metal farm silo on the outside of the barn to house the staircase so as not to use up valuable interior space. The silo had its own foundation, HVAC, electrical power and lighting.

When we arrived to scout the location we found a floor plan that was as unique as the barn’s backstory. In addition to the innovative thinking that went into this barn construction, what really drew us in was the homeowner’s design sense.

For the homeowner, their dream was fulfilled. For us, it was a photo shoot to remember.

We’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to the homeowners for welcoming us into their home and sharing their story.

If you have a House story that you would like to share, email it to us at pictures@flor.com (subject: House Tour) and you may get the chance to be featured on the FLOR blog.

Tags: barn into home, before and after, country home, design, FLOR tiles, home makeover, Old barn

Read more | Comments (7) | January 24, 2012

Hey Jack!

Posted by FLOR | Filed under Design Tips, Favorite Posts, Musings

Our friends across the pond seem to be a rather talked-about bunch these days, whether it’s news of royalty tying the knot or rowing on the world’s biggest sporting stage this Summer.

Add that to their great history, architecture and design hubs, and we wanted to show our respect with a fresh take on a current trend, which brings us to the launch of - Hey Jack.

A symbol as recognizable as any, the Union Jack image has been seen everywhere.

So with the launch of our new Spring collection (coming January 17th!) we take that age-old motif and put the FLOR stamp on it by churning it into a geometrical grid. Its bright, primary and bold colors are a great decorating complement no matter your style.