NEW YORK—The commercial arm of Armstrong officially introduced Rejuvenations recently, a new sheet collection with a versatile range of designs, merging commercial and residential aesthetics, cross pollinating colors and textures for choices to fit any environment, from healthcare to retail.
“Our customers need solutions,” said Julianne Pierce, director, marketing and design. “We strive to be the first flooring resource designers and architects consider, and the flooring brand they request because they know Armstrong can provide the right floor for their needs.”
Rejuvenations is part of the Armstrong Continuum, an exclusive design system created to help architects and designers imagine what is possible. Rejuvenations features cross-coordination of color and design to Armstrong’s Natural Creations luxury vinyl tile, Medintone sheet vinyl, Marmorette linoleum and Stonetex vinyl composition tile, as well as other interior finishes.
Born from recommendations by the design community, the line was under development for a year’s time, principal designer Di Anna Borders told FCNews. “There is a shift in attitude, as more designers are apt to choose hard surface floors in what were traditionally carpeted areas. The bulk of what people select is not the more trend-driven, ‘wow’ colors, but what gives the best design solutions over the long term.”
She said Rejuvenations offers natural warmth, subtle beauty, and undeniable strength that delivers proven performance and lasting good looks.
The new collection has three main styles. Ambigu, the more trend-forward style, includes tweeds in grays and beiges; pearlized looks with metallic ink, and end-cut wood grain visuals of ambiguous species.
StoneRun features the look of travertine and concrete. Grouted looks, a preference according to research, is achieved in a 12 x 24 linear limestone, Borders said, as well as some modern subway tile shapes. Within the collection, Lithos covers the concrete aspect but without the maintenance required of its visual originator.
TimberLine, has realistic wood looks that range from traditional to more exotic species. An extensive collection, wood makes up the most popular of today’s sheet vinyl looks. Within the traditional styles, oaks, maples, cherries and walnuts come in 4- inch wide planks. Rustics have embossing that hides irregularities in a subfloor and hides denting, making it perfect for healthcare applications with heavy beds and machinery, Borders noted. Exotics entail merbau, mahogany and bamboo species in 7- to 8-inch wide planks to emphasize graining.
Borders cited the continuing trend to have a home-like atmosphere across commercial segments. For example, in healthcare settings more welcoming and comfortable spaces are shown to reduce patient anxiety and promote healing. “Rejuvenations meets these needs with brand new, realistic wood looks
in rich colors, textile-inspired designs, sophisticated stone looks and a soothing color palette of neutrals and key healthcare-friendly colors.”
In addition to healthcare, Rejuvenations also reaches the retail and hospitality markets with dramatic metallic motif designs inspired by Indian architecture and travertine looks.
“I’m up against dirt,” said Wanda McLarty, interior designer, Willis-Knighton Health System in Shreveport, La., when referring to the intense requirements for testing and diligence around infection control in healthcare. “With infection control, it’s important that materials do not have porosity. That’s an important distinction between carpet and resilient; resilient has much less porosity. Rejuvenations offers beautiful designs in a material that’s ideal for healthcare.
“In addition, healthcare has everything in it from offices, retail, religious, restaurant and hospitality spaces all in one,” said McLarty. “Continuum offers connected colors and patterns for just about any application I need.”
-Emily Hooper