Floor Talker
5 top designers ponder what’s best underfoot
Children roller skate into the house, the dogs chase the cat almost daily, while Mom and Dad are thinking about low maintenance and long-lasting weare in every room. Homeowner lifestyle is definitely part of the answer for flooring choices.
YOU USUALLY HAVE SOME IDEA before you go shopping if you want laminates or wood or carpet. I start out by asking my clients about their lifestyle. Do you have children? Pets? Allergies? This will determine what the right product should be.
Carpet alone comes in so many different patterns these days. Pattern can be a good choice for high-traffic areas.
Trends in wood tend to a smooth surface again versus hand-scraped.
Wall-to-wall shag carpeting is very popular right now with younger people — even shag 2 to 3 inches long. It comes in up-to-date colors like purple, dark browns, black, cream and white.
Liz Hyma
Coles Fine Flooring
619-276-5140
FLOORING IS SUCH AN ESSENTIAL element of good home design that it requires a careful balance of budget and vision. Flooring must work for the amount of traffic in specific areas of your home, the possibility of spills with smaller children in the house and the level of maintenance you can realistically achieve.
When it comes to your budget, consider not only the initial investment but also the cost of ongoing maintenance to keep the material attractive and to retain its quality.
Do your research among the array of flooring materials such as woods, natural stone, porcelain tile, carpet and high-quality vinyl floors. A budget is reality, but sometimes spending a little more gives you the beautiful look for an improved quality of life.
Tatiana Machado-Rosas, Ckd, Asid Allied Member
Jackson Design & Remodeling
858-633-1311, x25
FLOORING CHOICES can be overwhelming. Hard surfaces like stone and porcelain are good for kitchens, bathrooms and any area around water.
Hardwood flooring works well throughout main living areas, bedrooms and even kitchens. Carpet is better in low-traffic areas such as bedrooms.
The harder species of wood like oak are easier to maintain and more durable. Beware, as very dark stains show every dust particle and pet hair.
Any natural stone requires yearly maintenance and sealing. If the irregularities of pattern in natural stone bothers you, manmade products are a better choice. Porcelain tile is very durable, low-to-zero maintenance and can fit any budget.
To carpet or not is a big question. We like it because it’s soft, easy on the feet and the price is right, but there are negatives. If you want carpet and your budget allows, select a natural fiber such as wool for longevity and sustainability.
Kellie Mccormick, Asid
Bast|Wright Interiors
619-299-5591; 858-551-3216
THE FIRST THING TO CONSIDER in flooring is maintenance. Porcelain is usually the way to go for very little maintenance. With the advancement in natural-stone sealers, there is less risk with staining if you put a limestone or marble floor throughout your home.
Cost is important. Most stone and porcelain products are in the same price range. Their prices vary depending on where they come from and what they are made of. Don’t fall in love with something out of your price range.
Beyond these major considerations, be sure you’re happy with the overall look and feel of the material you choose.
Kelly Gray, Asid Industry Partner
BDG Design Group
619-291-3234
FLOORING SUPPORTS the interior design of the home. It literally is the base for everything. Function, your living environment and maintenance are initial considerations. Then the fun begins.
A current favorite of mine is an eco-friendly hardwood that has an oil finish. This also gives you the opportunity to use area rugs for a pop of color in the room.
It can be fun to create a pattern with linoleum in a child’s room, and then add an area rug for color and a soft place to land.
For kitchens and baths, my preference is to use a variety of hard surfaces together, like natural stone, marble, porcelain and glass, to create a showstopper design that stands up to spills and splashes.
Kimberley B. Hansen, ASID Allied Member
Burgess Hansen Design
619-222-6691
