May 25/June 1, 2015; Volume 29/Number 4
NeoCon, the largest commercial interiors show in North America, brings together thousands of design professionals each year and offers visitors a chance to see product launches, sit in on insightful sessions with keynote presentations and attend educational seminars. With more than 1 million square feet of exhibition space, the three-day event may require some planning ahead. FCNews rounded up a first look at the products to be featured at the show.
Aquafil
Aquafil’s Econyl carpet fibers are made from 100% regenerated nylon 6 and are manufactured using reclaimed nylon waste materials from around the world, including other carpet and abandoned fishing nets. Through the company’s reclamation programs, customers can return products at the end of their use to Aquafil to be upcycled into new high quality carpet fiber. The Econyl Global Collection now includes 138 vibrant yarn colors, giving manufacturers and end users the opportunity to design more than 10,000 possible color combinations.
Bentley
Bentley will focus on a slew of products at the show this year. Part of the Curio Collection, Magnetism and Trance emphasize elements of beauty and sophistication typically synonymous with the brand. Trance contains mixed denier yarns and luster levels, resulting in a nubby texture, while Magnetism combines Trance’s wide stripe with a lower profile companion stripe to create random patterns. Subliminal is another product focused heavily on texture; contrasting luster loops give it a handcrafted look despite being machine made. Its unique cut-to-loop style gives it an embroidered feel. King’s Road, Bentley’s signature cut pile carpet for 30 years, is being reinvented through Anthem, a modern take on the company’s classic product. Anthem uses superior tufting and dyeing technology and features gradating stripes to form an ombré effect.
CBC
Piesta is CBC Flooring’s composition tile from its TOLI brand. What makes Piesta unique is its rounded bevel, giving the product a 3D visual. Its construction allows patterns to go all the way through the tile rather than appearing only on the surface. Designs facilitate customization with eight colors to choose from, each available in three different sizes: 18 x 18, 18 x 12 and 18 x 4. In addition, WELS Rx and Halo Free are PVC-free options, making them ideal for health care spaces. Halo Free utilizes PET technology and is 70% more scratch resistant than traditional commercial grade LVT. The company is also offering attendees a sneak peek at its new and improved version of Mature, a heavy-duty sheet vinyl originally introduced in North America 26 years ago.
Crossville
Reminiscent of the look of concrete, Gotham will make its debut at NeoCon. Available in six colors and two tile sizes—12 x 24 and a 2 x 6 mosaic—the line is suitable for interior and exterior walls, countertops and floors. I Metalli is a new collection from Laminam, Crossville’s brand of porcelain tile panels, featuring three colors. It is part of the 3+ lineup, meaning it is suited for wall use. I Metalli is only 3mm thick, with outer dimensions that exceed 3 x 9 feet.
Florida Tile
Level 10 HDP is the company’s new high definition color body porcelain line, inspired by the cool, modern aesthetics of stained concrete. With a style that reflects a combination of natural elements, the product incorporates signs of distress, worn-in staining, watermarks and chips to add character. The color palette is made up of three warm tones (white, beige and bronze) and a fourth color that lends a cool blue undertone in a light gray. Rhyme, also being showcased at NeoCon, was inspired by a traditional linen fabric look, replicating a fragile texture on the tile’s surface. Florida Tile will also feature Time/2.0 Thinner, the latest generation of thin porcelain large format tile developed with the company’s innovative manufacturing technology.
Forbo
Forbo Flooring Systems will introduce 15 colors in its Striato line from the sustainable Marmoleum Modular collection. Marmoleum Modular Striato is available in both 10 x 40 planks and 20 x 20 squares, offering maximum design possibilities. The collection is currently the only floor tile that is USDA BioPreferred certified and 100% biobased. Made from natural, renewable ingredients, Marmoleum Modular features inherent antimicrobial and antistatic properties that improve indoor air quality and resist bacteria growth without chemical additives. The collection’s sustainable, water-based Topshield 2 finish provides occupancy-ready installation and exceptional performance against damage including soiling, staining, scratching and scuffing.
Interface
Near & Far, a new carpet tile collection, is true to Interface’s continuing focus on nature as its inspiration. NF400 from the line features striations that run the length of the 25cm x 1m skinny plank, while NF401 incorporates depth and dimension with carving and curvilinear movement. Also new is the Equal Measure carpet tile collection including EM553, a carved, irregular pattern that imitates cobblestones; EM551, a simple, low profile texture, and EM552, a transition tile that bridges the two.
Johnsonsite
Three products will take center stage for Johnsonite at NeoCon: Acczent, Arcade and Safe-T-First. Acczent provides the look and feel of LVT in a sheet format with optimal hygienic performance. With fewer seams and the ability to be flash coved and heat welded, it is a better option for infection control. Arcade is naturally slip-resistant and features shock absorption and noise-reducing qualities. Safe-T-First is a collection of accessories that meet International Building Code requirements for emergency exit applications.
Karndean
Karndean Designflooring’s new Art Select Stones are to be highlighted with a variety of sizes and formats including the revolutionary new FreeLengths. Available in travertine-effect tiles, FreeLengths replicate popular stone plank visuals through 6-inch wide tiles that come in four different lengths, providing a random plank appeal and a wide variety of design options. In addition, the Art Select Stones collection features large format tiles including 16 x 16 and 18 x 24, as well as random Versailles patterns. Designers travelled all over the world to find inspiration for this collection.
Mannington Commercial
Mannington Commercial will focus on three collections at NeoCon: Traction Avenue, Anthology and Teles. Traction Avenue, developed in partnership with Shimoda Design Group, is an 18 x 24 carpet plank available in 18 colors. Anthology comes in multiple patterns, colors and formats to create one-of-a-kind designs. Teles, Mannington’s high resiliency rubber, features a 1500 psi resistance while maintaining acoustic benefits.
Metroflor
Aspecta by Metroflor will debut the Abstracts Collection, a portfolio of 24 tile and plank selections enhanced by a three-stage embossing process to achieve authentic textures. The Abstracts Collection suits a variety of contract environments because of its ability to deliver durable and practical flooring. With larger plank, tile and print widths, the product is in tune with popular trends and comes in five designs. Tarnish contains smoky undertones with contrasting corrosive figures, while Hexi boasts a range of neutrals with an unusual geometric pattern. Fracas is a montage of colorful triangles, Piermont combines pearlescence with abstract designs and wood embossing, and Careen features a textile effect to contrast smooth, shiny surfaces.
Milliken
Milliken will introduce Naturally Drawn at NeoCon, a collection featuring four designs inspired by three artistic mediums—watercolor, ink and pencil sketch. These mediums were combined to create Drawing in Ink, Hand Sketched, Hand Sketched Transition and Watercolor Lesson, all of which are PVC-free and carbon neutral as part of the company’s ongoing pledge to responsible manufacturing.
Mohawk Group
Mohawk Group’s newest collaborators, Innocad’s 13&9 Design, will present Moving Floors, an innovative carpet collection. Available as a traditional 24 x 24 carpet tile, the collection’s varying patterns are designed to be “moving” based on the end user’s changing point of view, creating a personalized solution for individual tastes and needs. The collection epitomizes Innocad’s 13&9 approach to design—a unique dialogue between the end user and the environment with a focus on modularity, compatibility, flexibility and transformation.
Patcraft
Deconstructed Black, Deconstructed Metal, Life & Style and EcoWorx resilient are all 2015 introductions to be featured at NeoCon. Deconstructed Black and Deconstructed Metal are two carpet tile collections utilizing new manufacturing technology that exposes the products’ primary backing as part of their designs. Life & Style is a tile and broadloom collection featuring contemporary organic elements juxtaposed with soft geometrics, fit for use across a range of applications including multi-family, senior living and student housing. EcoWorx resilient combines Shaw EcoWorx technology with Patcraft performance and design sensibility. It offers a sustainable alternative to vinyl flooring and will be backed by an environmental guarantee for reclamation and recycling.
Roppe
Health & Learning Rubber Tile and Tread, Health & Learning Vinyl Tile, and Marble Fiesta will be the focus for the company at NeoCon. The Health & Learning Rubber Tile and Tread line’s palette is comprised of calm, warm and inviting colors with some accent tones to add interest and character to different health care and educational spaces. Health & Learning Vinyl Tile coordinates with the Rubber Tile and Tread line, offering a rubber tread option where vinyl tile may be installed. Marble Fiesta is a new style that offers visual appeal in addition to all of the attributes that lend to rubber flooring’s appeal. The colors coordinate with other Roppe products and can be mixed and matched with tile, treads, wall bases and accessories.