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Last month I spent a few days in Vegas exploring The International Surfaces Event. My family owns a small flooring business here in Utah and next year will be our 60th anniversary of flooring people with our service! Even though we are almost 60, we still like to stay current with the trends so my dad, mama, aunt and I headed down to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to check out Surfaces 2018. We put thousands of steps on our pedometers as we walked up and down rows upon rows of the newest products in the industry. All those steps made me feel a little better about all the food we ate during our stay!
Since I know many of you love design as much as I do,
I thought I’d share some of the fun styles and trends we saw here on the blog.
This event had some killer tile and stone, you guys! I had so much fun looking through all the samples and booths. This year I saw a lot of sparkle, uniquely shaped glass mosaics, and large format tiles.
Manufacturers are getting much better at faking wood grain, so if you’ve been thinking about buying faux wood plank tile, this is your year! I’ve had a hard time jumping on the faux wood tile train because it looked so phony to me but I saw several products that were beautiful and real looking. They are even using it in small mosaic format for backsplashes and showers.
Check out this herringbone look!
Hexagon is still huge in tile this year. I love it because it feels funky and fun while still being classic. Plus, I have a thing for honeybees and it reminds me of honeycomb.
Random fact about me. You’re welcome.
The Carrera look is huge and for good reason. Marble is classy, elegant, and gorgeous. I saw it cut in a hexagon, leaf, shell, subway, diamond, and a dozen more shapes that I don’t even know the names of.
This display from Daltile also shows the large format tile that I was talking about. 12x24s, 24×36, and up! There were some tile samples we saw that were easily 5 foot wide. Statement flooring in a classy up-scale way. I can tell you right now that tile installers are going to hate this trend but it’s sure beautiful so I guess they better learn to deal.
Sparkle was a big hit this year.
Mirrored accent tiles? I had no idea I would love it, but I totally do! I know it’s hard to see in the photo but those small chevron accent tiles are actually mirrored glass. It’s terribly hard to take a good detailed pic in a giant conference center with no windows. Oh well. At least you get a general idea.
Along the sparkle lines…
This stacked quartzite from Emser Tile had me all heart eyes, you guys.
This stuff would make a killer statement on a fireplace!
via Emser Tile
Patterned tile is still hot.
I am loving that manufacturers are finally making porcelain and ceramic that look like those expensive, hard to maintain cement tiles that have been all the rage the past few years. Because who really wants to constantly reseal their backsplash and floors? I can’t even remember to reseal my counters!
Daltile had some really pretty patterned tile options. I loved how they used it to accent the front of the island in their booth at the expo. If a full patterned backsplash feels too much for you but you still want to add a bit of style to your space, this could be a great workaround. I think it would look fantastic paired with one of the new elongated subway tiles as a backsplash.
This little bathroom vignette was so funky and fun! (Please ignore my reflection in the mirror. Proof I was actually there, huh? Haha!) Anyway, I loved the colorfully painted vanity set against the black and white. I think this is a good reminder that tile isn’t just for floors.
However for sanitation purposes, let’s not put carpet in bathrooms ever, mmmkay?
We can’t talk about patterns without talking about patterned carpet because it is SO hot right now in flooring.
via Anderson Tuftex
Patterned carpet was all the rage at the event. It was everywhere. There were so many fun looks and loads of great new colors. My personal favorites were from Anderson Tuftex. We are ordering a new sample rack for our store full of their product, so I’ll post some pics in my Instagram stories when it comes.
For now, here is a pic from the expo of some of the products in Anderson Tuftex’s booth.
Just look how pretty these carpet samples are!
The top right sample would look FABULOUS on stairs. So fun!
Oh man, I want to redo my stairs so bad. Patience, Missy. Patience.
Another soft surface product we saw at Surfaces 2018 was from Shaw. They have a new carpet line called Lifeguard with a special backing that makes it waterproof, kid, and pet-friendly. This stuff is the kind of carpet you want to lay down on and play games with the kids. To know that your family isn’t going to ruin it in a year sure gives peace of mind!
I’m digging this soft tonal style.
via Shaw Floors
Everybody in the industry seemed to have a new LVP or LVT product at Surfaces 2018.
For good reason, because this flooring is hot, hot, hot.
LVP stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank and LVT is short for Luxury Vinyl Tile.
People are loving this stuff because it wears so well. LVP and LVT are pretty indestructible and are great for kids and pets. I have to be honest, I haven’t been too keen on this kind of floor but the graphics are looking way more real and the colors are getting tons better. Manufactures have totally upped their game and they’ve come light-years with this product. So, I guess I’m starting to warm up to it. It sounds weird to hear myself say it but this 2018 batch is actually pretty and I can see why it’s getting a ton of buzz.
When looking for an LVT or LVP, makes sure you get one with a stabilizing core, a great locking system, and a 20 mil wear layer.
White oak was everywhere at Surfaces 2018 and I don’t see it going out for a long time.
Here is a white oak floor my brother just installed for a customer. White oak is beautiful and durable, both great characteristics to look for when choosing a wood floor.
Another wood trend that is hot is installing in a pattern.
Yep, again, pattern. So much pattern in design right now. Herringbone, chevron, medallions, parquet, angles, all huge and not just for floors. Designers are putting wood up fireplaces, on walls, and even ceilings.
Wood honeycomb statement wall.
Hello, beautiful!
Rustic floors were also all over the show and I fell in love with US Floors Castle Combe collection. This stuff is unbelievably gorgeous and I couldn’t stop touching it. I am a major wood floor snob so when I say this stuff is beautiful, it’s truly beautiful. It has a natural oiled finish which gives it the look of old reclaimed wood with the modern convenience of an engineered floor. We are bringing this product to our showroom and I am so excited about it!
via US Floors
Not kidding, this stuff is gorgeous. I am completely partial to sand and finish wood floors so for me to love this wood says a ton. It is absolutely stunning. It’s pricey, you better believe it, but wow is it stunning.
If I had a bank account to match my high-end taste, I’d be laying this flooring all over my house.
And just for fun, this little display booth had my heart.
I mean, how cute is this!
Beachy wood planking on the walls. Yes, please.
So there you have it, the flooring trends killing it in the design world for 2018!
Pattern, light woods, rustic earthiness, durability, statement pieces, and a little bit of sparkle.
Do any of these trends make your heart go pitter-pat?
Tell me in the comments below.
These are all beautiful! thank you for the update. love it so much
Hey missy,
Thanks for the good post, all these flooring options are beautiful. In this list, I personally like Pattern Carpet & Hardwood flooring. I really appreciate your work on crafting such a lengthy article. Keep up your good work.
Emma Emily.
Wow,
It looks amazing. You did a great job. I really appreciate your work on crafting such a lengthy article. Thanks for the sharing your update with all of us. Keep up with good work.
I’ve always loved the idea of soft luxurious carpets, but at the end of the day, I’m too clumsy for something that could potentially stain from a spilt drink or dropped plate.. There are so many wonderful tile options anyway! Thank you so much for this article