STAYING A STEP AHEAD OF STYLE
Zara Prescott, Communication Executive at Atkinson & Kirby discusses
key trends of 2018, and explains how contractors can utilise these looks to make the most out of their upcoming projects.
As flooring is such a key element to any project, it’s important to keep an eye on the latest trends, and match these to designs that deliver on style, while providing the durability to stand the test of time.
The first trend of 2018 to note is Homeland, this encapsulates the desire for designers to embrace history in a contemporary way, mixing the best of the past with the ever popular minimal look. Working effortlessly in both traditional and contemporary designs, this trend works well with deep mid to dark wood tones, alongside solid concrete design elements to create a perfect mix of simplicity of antiquity.
The Renaissance collection of parquet flooring by Atkinson & Kirby works seamlessly with the Homeland trend, picking up the best of the traditional parquet design, whilst making the most of its modern update. The collection features ten contemporary colours, including stunning dark wood tones, which add a rich, luxury feel to a project, offsetting perfectly with a light interior colour palette.
For contractors looking to create a bespoke finish to a project, parquet designs allow for a mix and match of colours, reflecting the traditional style that was popular many centuries ago.
Trend-led flooring in practice
When it comes to selecting a particular trend-led collection for a project, it’s also worth considering a design that is a suitable match for the location and surroundings. By selecting a relevant design, contractors can ensure they are choosing a style that will always look up to date and therefore keep the space looking fresh for years to come.
Parquet is also a key feature of the Modern Revival trend, which is all about taking the best of classic designs and giving them a modern revamp. Alongside parquet, the Renaissance collection includes other time-honoured styles including herringbone and chevron patterns to really encapsulate the essence of the Modern Revival trend.
In contrast to the classic parquet design, we are also seeing a clear shift towards natural tones, which brings us onto the third trend for 2018, Winter Desert. This look is all about handcraft and authentic design, comprising of a range of deep textures and warm colour palettes.
The Caledonian collection effortlessly fits into this aesthetic, due to its classic design, characterised by its light and
44 | WOOD & LAMINATE
Atkinson & Kirby’s Engineered Oak collection, in the shade ‘natural’, was used as part of a large-scale renovation of the James Watt Building at the Herriot Watt University in Edinburgh.
Not only was style a consideration for the Heriot Watt University, but with 30,000 students attending, it was vital that the flooring could withstand the high level of footfall that it receives on a daily basis. As an engineered product, this particular collection guarantees excellent performance for years.
Stephen Fraser of McKay Flooring the key contractor for the project said: “We are proud of the work that has been undertaken for the Herriot Watt University, the Atkinson & Kirby engineered oak was ideal for the project, fitting in with both the character and style of the building.”
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
honeyed tones of oak and walnut, which provides a warm palette for designers to work with.
Finally, Organic Future mixes the best of natural design and materials, with a key focus on light oak, ash and maple. With dark wood contrasts, smooth mattes and chalked greys, this look is a perfect addition to a contemporary design scheme.
As well as taking the time to consider the key trends, it’s also important to understand the value of investing in high- quality hardwood flooring to achieve a stunning look with a high level of durability.
www.akirby.co.uk
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