What is resilient flooring?  It’s one of those materials that people kinda, sorta understand.  I wanted to explore it further with you because these days it’s offering some interesting design options.  First of all, resilient flooring is a broad term used for a few different kinds of flooring that you may be more familiar with, for example linoleum, vinyl and cork.   By definition it refers to flooring material which has a relatively firm surface but that also has some give and “bounces back” after objects of heavy weight have been moved.  It has long been used in many commercial environments, such as schools and health-care facilities, because of it’s many positive qualities:  it’s durable, comfortable under foot, good looking, long lasting, cost effective and relatively easy to install. 

The Cork Collection has a clean and modern Swedish look to it but it's not real cork.

The stone is really handsome and warmer on the feet than porcelain tile.

In the past, homeowners have used it mainly in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and foyers.  For a while, it was not very stylish and the first thing that was ripped out when moving into a new home.  Homeowners got bored with the muted colors and flecked designs, though I have always loved a great black and white checkerboard pattern!  The reason I am talking about it today is that quite a few companies have really stepped it up with the style options and it’s definitely worth a second look.  Armstrong, in particular, has come out with it’s MODE Flooring collection and I bet you will be surprised at the cool options being offered.

I love the mix and match options, they are endless!

Most of the styles come in 16″x16″ tiles and some of the wood styles come in 6″x36″ planks.  You can mix and match the tiles to create whatever look suits you.  This is a very affordable way of getting a custom tile look at a fraction of the price.  You can have it installed using traditional adhesive if you are confident that you are going to stick with the floor for a while.  Or you can use Quick Tac if you want an “easy down/easy up” option. Either way, it’s worth considering for your next flooring project!

The Planks Collection has a warm, rustic look.

Shop for a variety of flooring options in My Secret Database!

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Boutique hotels provide wonderful interior design inspiration.  Unlike large, chain hotels, the interior designers are often encouraged to focus on ambiance above all else and make the guests feel they are enveloped in luxury.  Occasionally I will show you some great hotel interiors that deserve your attention and give you some insight as to why the design works and how they pull it together.

The photo above is from the Setai in South Beach, Miami.  Their motto is “Be embraced by Serenity”; and you can certainly see they live up to this promise.  This bedroom creates a wonderful mood and achieves a delicate balance.  Let’s start at the bottom and make our way up.  The flooring is a combination of teak and slate.  The combination of flooring gives you a nice balance of warmth and coolness as well defining the spaces.  The simple linens on the bed are graceful and crisp.  This is a look that it is easy to create in your own bedroom.  The wall color is creamy and warm.  Nothing too bold to take away from the beautiful wood.  Lighting, now this is critical.  They have used 3 different types of lighting in this room.  An overall light from the ceiling that highlights the bed and could be used for reading.  The sconces add drama and ambiance along with the floor lamps which are a good idea for a small spaces where nightstands are a squeeze.  All lights are controlled from switches beside the bed.  There are a lot of straight lines in this room but the central focus is on the soft, light colored bed that softens the space and balances the feel.   Overall a great design.

Make sure to explore the Exotic Style in My Secret Database!

Designers have long known the benefits of high quality leather. It’s durable, long lasting and beautiful. A very cutting edge company called York Street Studio is finding new places for leather in your home. The company is making leather panels and tiles for walls and floors and they are gorgeous. They are water resistant, easy to install and easy to maintain. You can use them in the kitchen, office, or just about anywhere you please. Take a look at the selection offered on their website. You’ll be amazed!