5 Tips for Designing Custom Commercial Carpet

You’ve started designing a commercial space for a client, but you can’t quite find the right carpeting to make the statement you want or reflect the branding exactly the way you’ve envisioned. 

You’ve thought about designing a custom carpet, but that seems daunting. Fear not, we’ve got you covered. Here are five tips to demystify the process and create that signature look that you’re going for!

1. Consider the Branding. You may be interested in incorporating your client’s branding in the design. With modern carpet-making machinery you can recolor an existing carpet style, create a new pattern or customize colors to realize your perfect design. You can even get exact matches to corporate logo colors or reference landscape features and local landmarks. Carpet can provide the background for telling a brand’s story. 

2. Review the Requirements. Building plans are important early in the design process as the shape of the facility, placement of hallways and public spaces, and room sizes will affect transitions, the layout, and the quantities of carpet. Regional factors like weather and sunlight, maintenance and styling capabilities all factor in as well. 

Whether refurbishing or building a new property, imagine the space, its uses, how people interact in it and traffic patterns.  Consider how different spaces work together and categorize your zones. Zones will have different design requirements, aesthetic goals and performance needs and this will help you determine how the overall quantity breaks down into minimums for the different types of carpets required in the zones. 

3. Know Your Options. Once you know the requirements for the space, then you can review your options to meet those needs. Solution dyed nylon (SDN) and wool are both durable solutions when it comes to a soft surface flooring option. SDN is very colorfast, meaning the pigment holds on to the color when exposed to moisture, light, heat and most cleaning products. Using a proven SDN like Zeftron nylon, which has been a part of high performing commercial carpets for more than 40 years, can be a good choice. Wool, meanwhile, has a richness that adds to the ambience of a facility.

You can consider using tufted or woven carpet. Advances in tufting technology have improved design capabilities, speed of manufacturing and durability of these carpets. Weaving also offers durability along with more intricate patterning, styling and colorations. Tufting and weaving can both produce loop and cut-pile styles. Both can also vary the pile height to add textural interest to the carpet design.

4. Stretch Your Budget. Knowing a little about factors that impact carpet cost will help you as you design. 

The size of the order is a big factor.  It takes the same amount of time to set up a run for 70 feet of carpet as it does for thousands of feet of carpet. So, carpet cost is reduced with a large order. 

Yarn systems vary in cost. Also, working within a carpet mill’s color bank versus creating a custom color will be most cost effective. Machinery speeds factor into costs.  The more complex the design, the slower the machine runs which adds up.  Complex designs also cost more due to set up time for the run.  Some machines require heavier weights to achieve the desired aesthetics. This means more yarn and therefore added cost.  

Performance objectives influence the choice of construction and the face weight of the carpet.  A carpet that performs well has a high density and uses more yarn, once again adding to the cost. Public spaces usually require a high level of design, good performance, and ease of cleaning.  Higher weights, typically 36 oz/sq yd and above, are required for this and with more detailed patterns different machines must be employed which moves the cost needle up.  

5. Select the Right Carpet Manufacturer . Your design and performance requirements will help determine which carpet manufacturer partner you choose. Your carpet representative can help you, and the mill designers will also aid in choosing which machines will construct the carpet to your design specifications. Work closely with the mill personnel. Their support can aid and enhance your design concept. Mills such as Encore, which specializes in the hospitality industry, have the ability to do custom carpet creations and can be excellent partners and resources in the process. 

Getting a better understanding of the process at the start can help you get a good idea of cost, availability and design capabilities and decide which mill to go with for your custom carpet project. 

Next Stop: Custom Carpet Design

We’ve shared five steps you need to consider to make custom carpet design more manageable: branding, requirements, options, budget and a partner. For more detailed information on this process, take our Zeftron U course to get more insight into how to successfully collaborate with your local rep and their liaisons and designers at the mill. 

There’s no reason to be intimidated by custom carpet. Just start with a few key steps, and you’ll be well on you way to a bespoke look for your next commercial project. 

So, what do you think? Are you ready to try your hand at a custom carpet? Leave us a comment and let us know what you’ve got planned for 2023!

Encore and Zeftron Come Through for New Distrikt Hotel Pittsburgh

The Distrikt Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, which officially opened in July 2017, is the latest signature hotel from the Distrikt Hotel Management Group. We recently sat down with Jennifer Austin, Executive Vice President, Development and Brand Strategies, to discuss some of the design challenges she faced. She also talked about how Encore Hospitality Carpet worked closely with her to develop a fully custom-designed carpet made with Zeftron nylon to meet the hotel’s unique design and functionality needs.

ZN.:  How did the project come about?

J.A.: The Distrikt Hotel Group opened their first signature hotel in New York City in 2010. When it came time to expand, we found this amazing historic building in a key area of Pittsburgh that was for sale. We immediately realized this would be an excellent opportunity for our second location.

Z.N.: What were some of the challenges you faced in opening the Pittsburgh Hotel?

J.A.: Well, considering we were converting a historic, 10-story former Salvation Army building originally built in 1926 into a modern hotel, we had quite a few challenges. We had to completely gut the building from the second floor up, then we added a few rooms to the 10th floor. 

As a historic building, we needed to adhere to local building codes. For example, we needed to meet the city’s request to not build a parking garage. They also requested we add green amenities. We also needed to preserve the façade, the windows and the amazing lobby area.

Another unique challenge we faced was the guest rooms. Some rooms have 12-ft. ceilings, while others have 8-ft. ceilings. This created some interesting design challenges.

Z.N.: What support did you receive from Encore Hospitality Carpet?

J.A.: Encore was a dream to work with. They had provided the carpet at our New York hotel when it came time to replace the original carpet, so we were familiar with them.

The Pittsburgh hotel was my first FF& E project; handling all the design, construction and installation. It was a big learning experience. But working alongside Richard Heaver (President of Encore) made the process so much better and easier.

Richard took the time to get to know me and listen to me. He took a real hands-on approach other flooring manufacturers would not have. And, because we were not using an architect or a designer, I had to rely heavily on him.

His knowledge and willingness to listen to what I envisioned completely paid off: The carpet he ultimately presented was really stunning, and not normal at all.

Z.N.: Where is the carpet being used?

J.A.: The Encore carpet made with Zeftron is in all corridors and all 185 rooms. Encore rugs with Zeftron are in public spaces, including the main lobby area.

Z.N.: Can you describe the design you were trying to achieve?

J.A.: We knew that we did not want to copy or emulate what other hotels are doing. But more importantly, we wanted to balance the historical nature of the building and the essence of Pittsburgh, while bringing a fresh, modern look. Essentially, we wanted the design to be understated and elegant, evoking a sense of place and time.

Z.N.: What purpose did you need the carpet to serve?

J.A.: We needed the flooring to serve three major purposes: One, it needed to support and enhance the overall design of the hotel; two, it needed to assist with wayfinding in the corridors; and three, it needed to stand up against staining and wearing.

From a design perspective, we wanted the carpet to be reflective of the historic elements of the building and ensure it blended nicely with what we were trying to achieve. So it’s got some fading elements that speak to something historical. But at the same time it’s got some sparkle and pop, making it look contemporary and modern. It ended up perfect; everyone comments on it.

From a functionality standpoint, there are some winding paths in the hallways – not all hallways are completely straight. So we had to work very closely with Encore to create the transitions from hallway to corner. This was some pretty tricky work: How do you take a pattern and not make it look awkward when it’s going around a corner and then going a different length of hallway? The end result is that we have some great corner-to-hallway transitions that help our guests navigate the turns in the corridors.

Bottom line, the carpet is beautiful, affordable and it cleans beautifully. The unique colorways, surface textures and intricate patterns all come together great — it’s kind of a dream.

Z.N.: Thanks for speaking with us!

J.A.: You’re welcome. Thank you.

 

Flooring and Today’s Flexible Office Environments

As summer begins to wind down and we return to the office from vacations, we thought we would explore the ever-growing trend of flexible office environments.

From American Express and GlaxoSmithKline, to Facebook and hundreds of other companies, businesses have been shifting away from cubicle-style floor plans to a mix of individual and collaborative work areas.

Inc. magazine notes that the variety of choices for employees is increasing as businesses offer “comfortable living rooms, libraries, stand-up tables, outdoor spaces, nooks and crannies–to collaborate, create, contemplate, present.”

More Collaborative Spaces

It’s not just the layout of the office that is making a difference. Metropolis magazine’s “The Living Office—The Action Office for the Digital Age” takes a look at a new office system designed by Yves Behar and fuseproject. The design, titled “PUBLIC Office Landscape,” addresses the desire for employees to collaborate at a desk area. This allows individuals or groups to use a desk area equipped with storage bins, mobile privacy screens and more.

 

Hot-Desking Continues

Another take on the fluid workspace is the practice of “hot-desking.” This practice allocates desks to workers when they are required or on a rotating system, rather than giving each worker their own desk. According to Gensler’s 2016 workplace survey, everyone can benefit from this new approach. The study suggests that organizations, “empower the entire organizational community, not just senior leadership, with the ability to choose when and where to work.”

Flooring’s Role

So how does flooring fit into this new workplace paradigm shift? When it comes to carpet, it can be pretty important. Consider the following:

• Way-Finding — Carpet color and patterning can help with way-finding and navigation between spaces, such as down hallways or corridors.
• Space Differentiation – Carpet can create differentiation between different spaces when moving between such things as office departments or different end-use areas.
• Acoustics – Open spaces, bereft of offices or cubicles, can sometimes be loud and noisy. Carpet’s inherent acoustics can also make workspaces quieter, thus contributing to greater productivity.
• Visual Balance — Carpet provides a nice visual balance and design element when paired with a hard surface such as wood or LVT in an open floor plan – a growing trend in many office environments today.

Here are some photo examples of how carpeting is being used to define space:

Image credit: Still from video footage, courtesy of videographer Jason Cheung via Work Design Magazine

Image credit: Photography: Manuel Martinez via Crain’s Chicago Business

 

Image Credit: Shaw Contract

What are your thoughts? Do you work in an open/flexible office? If you specify flooring, how are you using various flooring to create the open, flexible and productive workspaces of today?

If you like this story and want to see more, follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.

 

 

Encore Hospitality Carpet Introduces Amuse Collection

Vibrant designs. Exceptional versatility. Superior performance. These terms encompass the new Amuse Collection, which was recently unveiled by Encore Hospitality Carpet, a hospitality division of Brumlow Mills. With an impressive and bold array of 12 cut and loop patterns and nine bright statement colors made with Zeftron® Nylon, a premium branded nylon 6 yarn system, the Amuse Collection features stunning patterns and a performance-driven construction suited for hospitality projects or public space applications.

Inspired by the current trend toward bright statement colors, the Amuse Collection is designed to appeal to leading designers, specifiers and end-users who seek to have the carpet serve as a dramatic focal point. Bold, yet sophisticated, the detailed designs range from geometrics to florals, with hues that range from bright berries to sunny gold. The collection offers fresh, modern appeal. With more than 108 different pattern and color variations, the Amuse Collection provides designers with a broad and diverse range of options from which to customize virtually any project or space.

Encore Hospitality Carpet President Richard Heaver noted, “The Amuse Collection is a fresh departure from typical flooring products. The striking patterns and vivid colors come to life through Zeftron’s clear crisp solution dyed color palette giving designers and specifiers a perfect launch pad from which to create a dynamic interior space. Additionally, the collection is competitively priced, making it a smart choice for a variety of applications and project budgets.”

The vibrant styling elements of the collection are made possible through Encore’s state-of the-art Infinity manufacturing technology and Zeftron nylon, a solution dyed nylon 6 that offers superior styling, performance and recyclability advantages for commercial carpet products.

Designers can begin the process of creating the perfect carpet for their project at the Encore website:www.encorehospitalitycarpet.com.  Here they can select their patterns, colorize their designs and see how their carpet would look in a three-dimensional room scene. They can also download the room scene, as well as a color swatch, the colorways and a spec sheet to a PDF document.

Encore Hospitality Carpet Introduces the Allure Collection

12 Broadloom Styles Made with Zeftron® Nylon Feature Innovative Design and Superior Performance

 Encore Hospitality Carpet, a hospitality division of Brumlow Mills, is introducing its Allure Collection, an attractive array of 12 highly designed broadloom styles made with Zeftron nylon. The new collection features innovative textures, colors and large and small pattern sizes. It meets both the style and performance needs for a variety of hospitality environments.

 

Affinity in Cognac

Annata in Shitake

A bold departure from many of today’s flooring options, the Allure Collection is aesthetically distinguished by its sense of the unexpected. Some products feature large geometric patterns and others have smaller, more traditional grid styles. The beauty includes the illusion of no repeat patterning. Colors seem to indiscriminately fade in and out, appearing and reappearing with different intensity. The weathered, distressed appearance, provides added visual intrigue. 

 

Nine contemporary colorways are available with hues ranging from rich tans and deep browns to subtle greys and intense yellows.

Enchant in Palomino

“With more than 100 standard options to choose from, the Allure Collection can help designers make a unique design statement for virtually any hospitality project or space they might be working on,” said Encore Hospitality Carpet President Richard Heaver.

The dynamic styling elements of the collection are made possible through Encore’s state-of-the-art Infinity manufacturing technology, and Zeftron’s solution dyed nylon 6 with superior styling, performance and recyclability advantages for commercial carpet products.

Allure products are perfect for guest rooms and public areas, including corridors, meeting rooms, ballrooms, lobbies and dining areas.

Designers can begin the process of creating the perfect carpet for their project at the Encore website: www.encorehospitalitycarpet.com.  Select patterns, colorize your designs and see how your carpet would look in a three-dimensional room scene. You can also download the room scene, as well as a color swatch, the colorways and a spec sheet to a PDF document.

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About Encore Hospitality Carpet

A family owned and operated carpet manufacturer since 1981, Encore’s commitment to the latest manufacturing capabilities, processes and procedures allows customers more flexibility in providing innovative, design-oriented carpet products for Public Space and Guest Room applications. Encore is poised to service both large and small projects competitively. For more information, please visit www.encorehospitalitycarpet.com.

About Zeftron® Nylon

For more than 40 years, Zeftron® nylon has continued to deliver more value-added opportunities and advantages to the commercial interiors marketplace through dedicated partnerships, a premium branded nylon 6 product and superior service. Based in Dalton, Ga., the brand brings a history of innovations and unparalleled style, performance and environmental attributes in 120 proven colors.  All Zeftron nylon yarns are closed-loop recyclable, MBDC Cradle to Cradle certified and come standard with a minimum 25 percent recycled content. As part of the brand’s commitment to environmental stewardship, Zeftron nylon makes recycling easy with its 6ix Again Recycling Program – a simple to use, all-inclusive carpet recycling initiative. For more information, visit www.zeftronnylon.com

New Video Showcases Zeftron’s History and Advantages

Have you seen the new Zeftron video? This is the first of several educational videos Zeftron is planning for the design community and its mill customers.

The short video, aptly titled “An Introduction to Zeftron,” provides a brief overview of Zeftron nylon. You will see how Zeftron can be a resource by providing information and tools on the unique benefits of carpet made with Zeftron nylon.

There are four main points in the video that show how Zeftron is unique in the marketplace as a brand that provides:  

1.  An Unmatched Premium Product

2.  Superior Color Quality

3.  A Wide Array of Educational Resources

4.  Inspirational Design Tools

Taken together, no other nylon brand delivers more advantages to the design community and its mill partners. Watch video our video and get to know Zeftron nylon!

Hospitality Outlook NEWH Atlanta 2016

 

By Zeftron®nylon’s Marketing Specialist Richard Radke

I recently attended a regional trade show that the NEWH Atlanta Chapter hosted in metro Atlanta. The event featured a Panelist Discussion to discuss the outlook of the hospitality industry. The panel was moderated by Michele Finn, President, Hospitality Media Group, and featured several Atlanta-based industry leaders, including:

• Carlos Asensio, Project Manager, Noble Investment Group
• Larry Carver, President, Carver & Associates
• Alice Limer, Founding Principal & CEO, Fusion A.I. Design, Inc.
• Mark Linch, SVP Project & Technical Services, Capella Hotel Group

All participants agreed that the outlook was good for 2016.  Mark had some reservations but Alice thought that since the last few years have been strong, orders would still be strong for ongoing projects in 2016.  At Zeftron we agree that renovations may be wrapping up but new brands and new concepts are moving forward.

Other key highlights from the panel discussion included:

• Boutique concepts will continue to be important, even for senior living environments.
• Technology, a huge factor in today’s hospitality industry, should not be the tail that wags the dog.  It should be used judiciously and should be proven so there are no surprises or failures during installations.
• The desk is going bye-bye.  Younger people are not using the desks so commonly found in hotel rooms today; they are being re-thought with fold-away surfaces being considered.

One interesting part of the session was when Michelle Finn asked each participant to name their favorite hotel.  Mark said Capella, but he admitted that he had an unbelievable experience at the 10-room Costa Rican Hotel Copa de Arbol.  I want to go! Who wants to join me?

 

Four Commercial Carpet Trends for 2016

These are exciting times for the commercial design industry.  New colors are constantly being introduced and applied in fresh and unexpected ways.  Innovative products – from seating to lighting to flooring — continue to inspire for their form and functionality.  The way we think about the spaces we work, live and play in continues to evolve.  In short, architects, designers, and manufacturers are all pushing the limits of what’s possible.  We are all rethinking the way in which people and products interact with their spaces.

So, what does this mean for commercial carpet products in the new year?  We have some thoughts!

Zeftron offers colors that can make your custom carpet come to life

More Custom Colors and Carpets – Our carpet mill customers frequently ask for new and custom colors, and we are happy to oblige!  This trend is driven by product design teams and designers who realize that as the most abundant surface for any interior, carpet can play a major role in making a design statement.  Custom colors and customized carpets are crucial in making that design statement. Customization can help create a space that evokes a feeling or an experience.  As color experts for more than 40 years, we’re proud to be able to work hand-in-hand with our mill partners and designers to help them create the custom colors they desire.  

Greater Styling Versatility – The “blending” of interior spaces continues.  Many offices today integrate a residential or homey feel to them.  Senior living spaces, while still traditional in many instances, are bringing in themes typically found in a hospitality setting.  This new reality requires manufacturers to think differently and develop crossover products that are versatile enough to work in many different end-use spaces. Fortunately, Zeftron nylon is a highly flexible fiber when it comes to styling.  Our fiber enables carpet manufacturers to create products with varying styles, patterns and colorways to easily work across multiple end-use spaces.  

Exceptional Performance – The more things change, the more they stay the same. Designers expect more from the products they specify today.  In addition to customization options and greater styling flexibility, they expect exceptional performance. Zeftron nylon is the only fiber brand that offers designers the piece-of-mind they need when it comes to performance.  Concerns about staining, color fading and wear become a non-factor when specifying a carpet made with Zeftron nylon.  

More Green –One could argue that having a sustainable product is a given in today’s marketplace. Yet sustainability should never be a given or an afterthought.  As a fully closed-loop recyclable nylon with a minimum of 25 percent recycled content in every color, Zeftron continues to be a responsible steward of the earth and its resources.  We see green not as a trend for 2016, but as a vital part of everything we do every single day, month and year.

We welcome your thoughts and comments.

Contact Us

If you would like more information about Zeftron nylon or would like to partner with Zeftron on A&D visits, contact Zeftron Business Leader Tim Blount at: timothy.blount@shawinc.com or 706-532-2984.

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Zeftron Color Tools Available to Designers

Zeftron understands how important the right use of color is for a commercial interior project.  Color is a powerful tool.  It can reinforce a sense of place. It can generate an emotional response.  It can even transport us to a different time or setting.

Zeftron has been offering proven, perfectly engineered colors to designers for more than 40 years.  Our colors range from brilliant reds and bold blues to edgy metallics, crisp hues and wondrous lusters.  Our 120 colors offer virtually unlimited coloration possibilities to enable designers to make the design statement they envision for their project.

Below are some of the color-specific tools and resources we offer.

Zeftron Color Palette Pom Set –See all of Zeftron’s colors, including the new additions from the Brilliant Collection and Designer Select Collection all in one chain.

Individual Poms – By request, designers can order one or several individual poms to see specific colors.

Color Card Folder –See Zeftron yarn samples, color names and color numbers in an easy-to-hold format.

E-Color Swatch PDF – View a visually exciting display of all Zeftron colors and names in a PDF format, perfect for saving or emailing.

Adobe Swatch Exchange (ASE) – View color swatches of the Zeftron colorline that can be downloaded into design software from a URL or QR code.

Contact Us

If you’re interested in receiving or knowing about any of these tools, please contact Zeftron Business Leader Tim Blount directly at timothy.blount@shawinc.com.

Find Zeftron nylon online:

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Two Trends from NeoCon 2015

More than 700 exhibitors packed the Merchandise Mart for NeoCon 2015

For three days the commercial interiors design industry was fixed on the annual NeoCon Trade Show held in Chicago June 15-17. We were there exploring some of the new products and trends. Here’s our take on two of the most intriguing trends that stood out to us.

J+J Flooring Group’s F-Stop product brings a splash of color to any interior.

Bold Colors – From chairs to carpet, the seemingly unbridled use of bold, fun and vibrant colors continues. This is most likely an expression of an upbeat economy. But it’s also a reflection of how corporate environments can use color to create energy and intrigue, while also supporting their brand. We especially noticed J+J Flooring Group’s new F-Stop product from its Filtered Effects collection.

This infusion of color underscores the importance of our recently introduced Brilliant Collection, an accumulation of seven highly vibrant colors that can bring more styling options for hospitality, corporate or virtually any other commercial interiors projects.

Bentley Mills introduced several products that can work in multiple commercial sectors

Cross-Over Products – The trend toward more “cross over” products that can serve multiple markets continues. We were especially enthralled with Bentley’s High Score™ and Multi Play™ products from the mill’s Arcade Legend™ Collection. According to the company, the products “pair bold-scale pattern with random, overall textured pattern….and the complex integration of color introduces a metallic element – a bonus for interiors looking for bold style with a touch of bling.” The intriguing patterns and the “touch of bling” means the products could “cross over” — working just as well in a corporate office as in a hospitality environment.

On a related side note, Zeftron will soon be introducing its new Reflective Elements Collection. Using colors that have reflective qualities, this high luster collection can add elegance, depth, richness and sophistication to virtually any commercial carpet product.

We welcome your thoughts! What stood out to you at this year’s NeoCon?