Flooring and Interior Design
When we think about interior design, we think of gorgeous artwork, chic furniture, and perfect accessories. Often, homeowners don’t often think of one of the most impactful decisions they can make in residential home design: flooring. Our team consulted an expert and asked some important questions about flooring and design.
We spoke with Stephanie Blackford, owner, and designer at The Neighbor’s House, for some straight answers about flooring.
Sloane’s: How Important is Flooring?
The Neighbor’s House: Many elements go into designing a space, but flooring is one of the most important. Flooring creates a visual “base” for the entire space. It needs to look beautiful, work hard and last forever. Don’t overlook it. A throw pillow or even a piece of furniture can easily be swapped out when trends change, but flooring is an investment. You aren’t just dating your floor; you’re committing! Choose something you can love and trust and count on as the years go by — you’re going to be together for the long haul.
Trends will come and go, so we encourage a more classic aesthetic. Neutral is best and hides the most dirt and dust. But if you’re going to do something out of the ordinary with your flooring, prepare to dial it back in the rest of the room. We’ve had clients insist on trendy gray tones, and then they soon feel dated; dark floors are gorgeous, but every speck of dust shows. A mid-tone or natural tone is lovely and never goes out of style.
Sloane’s: What’s more Important – Function or Fashion?
The Neighbor’s House: I tell design clients, ‘If we don’t suit the needs of the space, we’ll just be repairing and replacing.’ For example, a light-colored carpet for high traffic areas; you’ll spend so much time trying to keep it clean or worrying about every person, dog, or child who walks through your door. That’s no way to live. Floors are meant to be walked on, and homes are intended to be lived in. We design for real people and real life, and we are firm believers that every part of your home should be beautiful and usable. Gone are the days of ‘formal’ living rooms and dining rooms used twice a year.
Opt for something that will suit your lifestyle, and then we can design around that for a look that will last! Want to sit on the floor and play Legos with your grandchildren? Great! Do you eat dinner and drink wine in front of the tv every evening — excellent. Are your pets more important to you than your IRA? Being realistic about how you TRULY use your home is key.
We had very wealthy, VIP clients and I showed the husband So. Many. Chairs. He was blasé about everything, something that we had never experienced before. Finally, his wife called and said, “He lies on the floor with the dog every night to watch tv. He has a bad back, and he likes to watch his history documentaries with a cocktail and the dog next to him.” AH! It finally made sense. We found the cushiest rug pad and the most fantastic rug, and he is a happy camper. This buttoned-up businessman just wants to stretch out with his dog and his drink after a long day. Done!
Sloane’s: How Do You Advise Clients to Choose the Right Look?
The Neighbor’s House: We try to avoid “trends” because they will come and go pretty fast. We lean towards classic styles that complement a myriad of elements. We are big believers in ‘if you love it, it will work’ then we build around that. For example, if someone loves a midcentury modern look, we start with just a few pieces, so their home doesn’t look like the set of Mad Men. And then, once you’ve found that style, stop looking at other styles.
Sloane’s: What about Design that is Good for Homes with Kids and or Pets?
The Neighbor’s House: Anyone can usually design something beautiful for a guest room or a space that doesn’t get used very often. But creating a functional design for everyday living can be a challenge, which we love. We are amazed at what’s happened in the flooring industry. Luxury vinyl is indestructible and beautiful — we are seeing it increasingly. It looks and feels like hardwood but is more durable, easier to keep clean and great if you should be faced with the unfortunate leak (spoiler alert — we will all be faced with an unfortunate leak). It will continue to look great, and the maintenance and cleaning are a breeze. And we are firm believers in quality carpet with the best pad you can afford — even if you have to forgo other things for now. So – quality product, quality install, regular maintenance and cleaning, and enjoy your family, friends, and pets. We had a client who never allowed shoes in her house and no red wine ever… I mean, a life without great shoes and great wine is just no fun!
Before you start your redesign, check out all of your flooring options at Sloane’s Carpet Secret. Our team is educated, experienced and, yes, passionate about flooring. We will help you find the best style to suit your needs and tastes, Legos and red wine included. And, if you need the help of an interior designer, please reach out to The Neighbor’s House.