"I am building a new home this spring and I'm wondering what's new in ..."
Q: I am building a new home this spring and I'm wondering what's new in floor coverings? I like a mix of looks for different rooms but want the colours to flow from room to room.
A: Great! You are already on your way to a warm and welcoming home. Staying within the same colour scheme makes for easy eye transition, which allows us to enjoy comfort with continuity. While a mix of materials will give you different textures but also different maintenance levels. Starting with the entrance, ceramic tile or a good quality cushion floor will provide a high traffic area with an attractive durable surface. Depending on the layout of your home you may want this same choice to carry into the main hall and kitchen or introduce the material used in the living room, such as broadloom carpet, hardwood or Berber. Berber carpet allows for flexibility in colour & texture. If your choice is broadloom, look for trackless Saxony with colour-dyed yarns. I recommend you carry the same colour throughout that level of the home. A second colour can be introduced on a different level, with the stairs tying them together. A great product to consider is pre-engineered hardwood that has all the feel of real hardwood without the concerns of expansion and contractions we tend to have with our moisture filled climate but I still love solid hardwood and the option of re-finishing it if you decide to change the stain colour. Finally, a natural look 12x12 tile made of warm, cushiony cork with a resistant wear layer can add another element to the look of your home. With a vinyl backing, it can be easily installed. Consulting with a decorator will ensure the look you want. Good Luck!