Organisers of this year's Flooring Show in Harrogate have introduced new initiatives to help sustainable construction professionals keep abreast of the latest product developments and techniques in use in the industry, as well as provide an exclusive insight into the future of flooring.
Consumer and design trend forecasters Scarlet Opus will host a "Trends Hub" in collaboration with sponsors including Interface, the world's largest designer and maker of carpet tile, Tarkett, a worldwide leader of innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, and Ben Johnson Interiors, a leading provider of total workplace solutions.
Scarlet Opus managing director Victoria Redshaw has conceptualized, designed and curated hugely successful Trends Hubs for the last four years at Surfaces, the largest US event serving the floorcovering industry. In September, the Trends Hub will make its UK debut at The Flooring Show at the Harrogate International Centre, 1-3 September 2013.
"This visionary space aims to showcase an inspiring collection of the latest flooring and innovative surfaces products, alongside a unique preview of the major colour, texture, material, pattern and styling trends for 2014. Its ‘Eco-Lab' theme will provide a visually stimulating space for visitors and exhibitors to gain valuable information on future design directions" said Redshaw.
"The Trends Hub is where you will find the real gems at the Flooring Show - the ‘must see' products that link to current and future design trends for the Interiors sector. We are excited to be curating this key area and sharing our trend forecasting expertise at the Flooring Show as it moves in a fresh new direction."
Inside the Trends Hub, the Interface supplied carpet tiling will resemble concrete with a grass or moss-like pathway, made using yarn from recycled fishing nets, leading to a café area.
Commenting Interface Marketing Director UK & Ireland, Karen Warner said: "Flooring is a key component of interior design, and the latest product innovations in the industry have made it possible to create a striking scheme, without compromising on sustainability. All of our collections are designed to have as little impact on the environment as possible, and have been created with the latest design trends in mind.
"The Urban Retreat range, for example, which is being used to carpet the Trends Hub, is inspired by the idea that we all have an instinctive love of nature, a science known as biophilia, and there is a growing trend for artists and designers exploring this theme. It's incredibly important to us to demonstrate how progressive flooring design can be, and to highlight just how many options there are out there. Getting involved with the first ever UK Trends Hub at The Flooring Show provides us with the perfect platform to do this."
Tarkett is supplying additional flooring; Luxury Vinyl Tiling (LVT), with a concrete appearance. UK Sales & Marketing Director John Devine said: "Tarkett is very pleased to be involved with the Trends Hub at this year's show and excited to be back at Harrogate! Design is at the forefront of our brand promise; ‘The Ultimate Flooring Experience' so we are very much looking forward to meeting up with some of our commercial partners to talk about design and colour and the way the UK market is moving."
The Hub will also provide spaces for show visitors to take a break, hold a meeting or catch-up on calls and emails on the designer furnishings, provided by Ben Johnson Interiors.
Sales & Marketing Director for Ben Johnson, Emma Dodsley, said: "We are thrilled to be working alongside Scarlet Opus, and to be supporting the first UK Trends Hub. As a design & build business, we understand the importance of operating at the forefront of our industry. This hub will be a fantastic opportunity for visitors to get ahead of the game, and network with other like-minded businesses."
Scarlet Opus will also be giving a presentation on Interior Design Trends Spring/Summer 2014 - Flooring Focus on Sunday 1 September.
The Flooring Show takes place 1-3 September 2013 at the Harrogate International Centre and is the only UK event to focus exclusively on innovative interior and exterior flooring solutions.
