Design Tips from Karastan Carpets

Design Tips

Do you have a design dilemma pieces that fight, colors that are not quite right, a room that never seems to come together? You need help. You need inspiration. You need encouragement.

Karastan offers a houseful of decorating and design tips to guide you to new peaks or just get you back on the right track. So click away. Learn, dream, and have fun.
Make your own design statement with the help of Karastan. Our designers are brimming with ideas to help you take your spaces from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Here you’ll find tools such as our Rug Planner, which enables you to create your own room layouts, as well as tips on adding accent pieces to your rooms, bringing the outdoors in with strategic greenery, and using color from pillows to walls to create inviting décors.

Welcome Guests with a Smile and a Sense of Whimsy!

Sometimes home interiors can get very serious and formal, be sure you let your sense of humor show. This can mean showcasing your children’s artwork in an ever changing wall collage, or simply finding pieces that have an inherent sense of fun and can bring a smile. The colorful chest of drawers featured in this foyer looks like something straight out of Dr. Seuss. The lamp is crafted of crushed fuschia paper and has metal grommets that allow the light to peak through in an entertaining way. Certainly the table almost dances in place on its curved legs, and the assorted sculptural pieces fairly burst with stories of their own. Stories and humor engage people, and will make them feel at home often much sooner than a formal, stiff setting missing the smile. Look for ways to add a dash of wit and whimsy to your home.

White Trim Makes Everything Look Fresher

Back to TipsWhite Trim Makes Everything Look Fresher White trim makes everything look fresher and when paired with bold color, it veritably pops! Whether you are contemporary or traditional matters not, white in high gloss is the best color and finish to truly frame any room. Moulding is designed to shape a space architecturally and when it is painted either the same color as the walls or a beige or ivory hue it lacks the emphasis and definition that white brings. High gloss gives an almost wet look and adds an extra richness to any design. High gloss is also a harder and more durable finish that semi-gloss or flat. You can certainly choose from a range of whites, a favorite among the design trade is Benjamin Moore’s Decorator White. It has a drop of black in it for an even more intense brilliance to make any color it frames appear clearer and brighter. White becomes far less of a neutral and more of an image maker, whether you want an elegant formal look, a relaxed blue and white beach casual, or a colorful contemporary collage. Including white on the trim of windows, doors, built-ins and more will be sure to keep your interior up to date longer.

Creative Ways to Display Family Heirlooms and Treasured Collectibles

Often collections get banished to storage because of a lack of a creative solution to showcase them. Quilts are a great example of this, in fact any textile from lace to a kimono, from hats to Indian blankets can be easily and beautifully featured on a wall. While it would have been simple to leave this collection of quilts folded in a chest, they provided such great color, texture, and pattern they become artwork on the walls. Clearly this is a bold focal point in the dining room complemented by the art glass light fixture; another was placed in the hallway and still another as a headboard over a bed in the guest bedroom. Think outside-of-the-box when it comes to showcasing favorite treasures. Textiles, in particular, add a great acoustical buffer, can provide bold or subtle pattern and color depending on the piece, and it is a great way to balance a lot of framed artwork and pieces under glass. Quilt holders can be easily found online, either hand crafted often through Amish resources, or at one of the large linen and bedding retailers. Hooks and decorative hangars can be found in similar places. Get your cherished textile mementos out of their boxes and free from the closet, adorn your walls and your mind with precious memories.

Save Time and Money with Your Own Home Theater!

It can be as simple as a big screen TV and surround sound in front of a sofa and chairs, or you can truly make it a destination within your home with plush movie seating, movie themed posters adorning the walls, and a custom built-in wall unit to contain not only the screen but all the latest electronics for a complete movie experience.
With tickets often well past $12/person and once you add in a jumbo popcorn, a box of candy, and a soda you’ve invested close to $25 per person, creating a space that feels theatre like, but the munchies come from Sam’s Club and the movies from Netflix or Blockbuster really makes an economical diff erence! Add to that the gas you save by not leaving the house, and the comfort of knowing where you kids are when they’ve got their friends at your place, and it adds up to convenience, cost effective fun, and parental peace of mind.
You can add themed lighting, signage, even a red velvet rope for those Academy Award evenings. Popcorn carts, soda fountains, and snacks can be added or not depending on dietary desires and needs. Since you are likely to already be investing in the technology of a flat screen, go a step farther and create your own home theatre.

Create a Game Nook

Too often old fashioned board games, cards, and pastimes like dominos are replaced or hidden by the electronic gameboys, gadgets, and gizmos of the tech age. To return to that time when games were social, and family and friends from gathered after dinner or on a Saturday afternoon to play Monopoly, Scrabble, or Chess carve out a nook just for game p laying. Crafting a cozy place that is just right for two or more to embrace a true game without the distraction of electronics is bound the bring your family closer together, as well as bridge the generational gap.
Whether you make room for two or twelve is up to you, but by decorating a space specifically for these types of activities, you’ll foster greater family interaction and even encourage learning beyond the confines of a computer and a keyboard. A game nook can be as simple as a table and a couple of chairs, or as elaborate as multiple tables with a variety of seating and a wall unit stocked with a variety of board games, cards, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and more. Make it a tech free zone to encourage non-electronic interaction and learning!

Greenery Adds Life

Greenery adds life! Now you may have a black thumb or the challenge of pets in the house that would make a real mess with live plants, but silk botanicals are a great option. It is vital to add greenery to every room as it represents life in the room even when no one is in it. If you can use live plants, you’ll get the added benefit of an air cleaner, as healthy live plants (no dead or dying ones please) will act as air purifiers. Including even a tree in the corner or greenery nestled in a bookcase or on the mantel will really renew the energy in a room.
Do get creative and go for more than the standard ficus or fern. Today there are a wealth of lush live and permanent trees and plants available for your home interiors. Consider a mango tree (no fruit!), or a raffia palm, bamboo is also a fresh option most often in a brighter green and symbolizes long life. Take your cue from the area you live in, indoor plants should mirror what is possible outside. One or two greeneries in every room is a good rule of thumb, you can overdo it. And if you include a floral, no more than one floral arrangement or plant per room or it is too much. Have fun and get growing or just place selected permanent greeneries.

Add Invitation to Your Dining Room

Add invitation to your dining room! Most dining rooms are very static; they have a big table just stuck in the middle of the room surrounded by chairs. Most dining rooms also are large enough that you can turn the table (without the leaves) on a 45 degree angle and immediately open up the room. Turning the dining table creates a sense of motion and invitation that truly beckons family and friends to come in and sit down at the table. Often you can also change the direction of the rug to also be on an angle, but it isn’t essential as long as the rug is large enough if left on the straight.
Now most often, this change will feel a little strange at first, so be sure to leave it alone for three days as you get used to it. You can always move it back again and certainly you can adjust it as needed for larger gatherings when you need to add the leaves.
Be sure to keep your dining table dressed at all times with at least a runner (and this must literally run off the ends of the table, otherwise you’ve got a sprinter!) And you need a centerpiece. The easy way out is candleholders and a permanent floral arrangement. If you want to get creative you can instead use a collection of porcelain objects, art glass pieces, or even a metal sculpture. Do not keep the table set as that looks too much like a model home and simply collects dust.

Add a Mirror to Add Space

Add a mirror to add space, or at least the illusion of space. Mirrors are an invaluable tool in decorating to make a room feel longer, wider, or even taller. The key with mirrors is to realize that the art of the mirror is in the frame. A beautifully framed mirror can truly make a room. The frame is the art of surrounding the reflection.
Avoid using mirrors as a substitute for artwork, they aren’t! Instead look closely at your rooms and think carefully about where you truly need a mirror to expand space. Over the mantel is often the worst place to put a mirror as it usually reflects and empty wall, the stairway, or a ceiling fan! None are worth of reflection.
Be sure that the mirror reflects something worthwhile at all times, not just your good looking face passing by occasionally. In a dining room it needs to reflect a well dressed table. In a bedroom perhaps it reflects a beautifully made bed; in a foyer it can reflect a piece or art or lovely botanical arrangement. Mirrors expand what they reflect so you want to use them to reflect abundance, style, and beauty.

Repetition Makes It Easy!

One of the five essential principles of design is repetition but it is often lost in an attempt to be eclectic, an excuse for adding everything to your interior. Using repetition to pull a room together is as easy as featuring a collection you have.
Collections are always much more dramatic and more important when they are kept together in one room rather than scattered throughout the house. Take a look at this kitchen. The collection is roosters! The fun part is that the window treatment fabric has tiny roosters scattered across it, there is a great big canvas with a rooster portrait, and in the glassed in cabinet are blown glass roosters. By repeating the rooster motif and showcasing the collection it is fun, stylish, and easy to see that the homeowner enjoys roosters in their many forms. For an easy way to pull a room together, find a collection or one element that you can effectively repeat.

11 Decorating Trends for 2011

This is an interesting article from Home Channel News on decorating and design trends for 2011

11 for 2011

National Kitchen and Bath Association survey identifies top trends
March 7, 2011 | By Brae Canlen



With the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show only weeks away — it runs from April 26 to 28 in Las Vegas — the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) just the results of its annual members’ poll about upcoming design trends. The Hackettstown, N.J.-based trade group asked 100 of its designers what they’ve been installing in their clients’ kitchens and bathrooms, and then distilled the results into 11 trends. 



KITCHEN TRENDS


Shaker style cabinets


The Shaker style caught on big last year, and by the end of 2010, had eclipsed contemporary as the second most popular style used by NKBA members. (Traditional is their first choice.) At Parr Cabinet Outlet, a sister company to Parr Lumber with locations in Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona and Utah, Shaker outsells other styles five to one, said division manager Jeff Cox. 


“Maple, cherry, hickory, white — it doesn’t matter what kind of [wood],” Cox said. “About 60% to 70% of our sales are some kind of Shaker door style.” The company sells approximately 15,000 cabinets a year. 


While Shaker’s star is rising — 55% of the respondents said they had designed Shaker-style kitchens — contemporary kitchens fell to 48%, according to the survey.


Dark finishes on cabinets


Distressed finishes are out — only 5% of the designers surveyed used it last year, compared with 16% the year before. But dark, natural finishes overtook medium natural, glazed and painted white as the most specified type of finish toward the end of 2010. Homeowners are not necessarily returning to an all-dark look, however. Some are mixing it up.


“We’re seeing dark on the perimeter and a dark [center] island that looks like a piece of furniture, something very decorative,” said Jeff Topolinski, who works in cabinet sales and design at Ed Hines Lumber. “The rest [of the cabinetry] is a painted product, white or antique white.” 


Many homeowners still opt for light natural or colored painted finishes, however: 25% for light natural and 29% for colored paints, according to the survey. While “medium natural” is losing popularity — it fell five percentage points — 48% of the designers polled still used it last year. 


In the Chicago market, where Ed Hines operates four design centers and showrooms, production builders are installing medium to dark cabinets in cherry, birch and maple, according to Topolinski. And no one is choosing oak anymore. “Oak is non-existent,” he said. 


Wine storage


When you think about it, it makes perfect sense: Wine refrigerators are mostly designed for white wine, yet plenty of people prefer red. So it’s no wonder that the incorporation of wine refrigerators in the kitchen seems to be on the decline. Unchilled wine storage is growing in popularity, however. While only 39% of surveyed designers incorporated wine storage areas into their kitchens at the end of 2009, just over half — 51% — did so as 2010 came to a close. Most other types of cabinetry are on the decline, including tall pantries (89% to 84%), lazy susans (90% to 78%), and pull-out racks (81% to 71%). Appliance garages also seem to be falling out of favor, as their use declined from 36% at the end of 2009 to 29% a year later.


French door refrigerators



The French door refrigerator has strengthened its position as the type specified most often by NKBA member designers, jumping from 67% to 78% between 2009 and 2010. The NPD Group, which also tracks appliance sales, found that French door refrigerators accounted for 26% of total full-size refrigerator unit sales, and 41% of dollars, in 2010. Sales of this style showed double-digit increases in 2010, the only refrigerator type to do so. French door refrigerators are also the only type to exceed 2007 pre-recession sales levels.


General Electric also noticed a bump in sales, according to spokeswoman Allison Gatta. “French door refrigerators are [our] fastest-growing segment,” she said.


Why does everyone love them so much? Ever try to fit a frozen pizza or a sheet cake in a side-by-side refrigerator? 



Induction Cooktops 


Induction cooktops haven’t overtaken gas and electric models, but they’re closing the gap. Entering 2010, gas cooktops were specified by 76% of NKBA designers, compared with 38% for electric and 26% for induction. Now induction cooktops have gained eight points, up to 34% in the latest survey. However, the incorporation of gas cooktops has fallen to 70%, while electric cooktops have risen slightly to 41%.


Meanwhile, single-wall ovens are down from 46% to 42%, although double-wall ovens are up from 68% to 74%. In addition, warming drawers are down from 49% to 42%, and ranges are down sharply from 81% to 68%
.

LED Lighting 


Designers are turning away from incandescents, given their planned obsolescence, which leaves them the options of halogens, CFLs and LEDs. Of the three choices, only LEDs showed gains, with 54% of the respondents choosing the energy-efficient (but expensive) light-emitting diode fixtures, as opposed to 47% last year. 


At Sims-Lohman Fine Kitchens, a division of Forge Lumber that serves the Cincinnati market, customers are asking for LED lighting in strategic places. “We see it under cabinets or countertops,” said general manager Jim Roberts. “Also, in spotlights.” 


At Builders Warehouse in Kearney, Neb., corporate sales manager Chris Borrego has also noticed more LED lighting being installed under the counter during kitchen remodels. “It’s a little more flexible, and it’s something new,” Borrego explained. But homeowners have yet to make the leap to LEDs in the ceiling, he said. 


Designer Trash 


Consumers are looking for a neat solution to trash disposal, one that incorporates all the sorting and recycling required by either their local municipality or their conscience. Some 89% of kitchens designed by NKBA members in the final quarter of 2010 include a trash or recycling pull-outs “Every kitchen that I do now has a waste and recycling cabinet,” said Topolinski of Edward Hines Lumber. “It’s grown to the point where everyone expects it. Typically, it’s the first things they ask about when they come in.” 


Consumers also want to reduce their overall kitchen waste using installed appliances. The use of trash compactors grew from 11% to 18% year over year in the annual survey, while garbage disposals were incorporated by 86% of designers, up from 75% the previous year.


BATH TRENDS


Quartz countertops


Quartz continues to take away market share from granite in the market for bathroom vanity tops, according to the NKBA survey. A year ago, 85% of the bathroom designers incorporated granite into a recent design, compared with just 48% for quartz, but now, that gap has narrowed to 83% for granite and 54% for quartz. 


“We’re definitely seeing growth in quartz,” said Borrego of Builders Warehouse, which operates its own fabrication plant. “More people are looking at it as an alternative to granite.” 


Borrego noted that other quartz fabricators seem to be popping up everywhere. “We’re seeing more competitive pressure from other suppliers,” he said. 


Unlike in the kitchen, solid surfaces haven’t gained much popularity in the bathroom, increasing only from 23% to 25% over the past year. Meanwhile, solid marble has declined from 46% to 37%, while cultured marble and onyx have increased from 12% to 19%. No other material has even 10% of the market.


Green Bathrooms 


White, off-white and shades of beige will always dominate bathroom walls, but green started showing up in 2010, and 24% of the NKBA designers polled said they had used it last year, compared with 14% the year before. 


“The greens that I’m seeing are the gray-greens,” said Roberts, of Sims-Lohman Fine Kitchens. “This works with the contemporary styles.”


Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said that consumers “can get pretty bored with the usual browns and tans and whites.” She sees green as a “neutral” color. A gray/green combination can create a natural-look background that makes other colors pop. Think raspberry towels.


One thing is for certain: The popularity of beige and brown is definitely slipping. Beige lost nine percentage points in the NKBA survey, and brown dropped by 10 points, from one year to the next. 


Fancy sinks 


Undermount sinks continue to dominate newly remodeled bathrooms, with 97% of NKBA bathroom designers having specified them over the last three months of 2010, up from 95% a year earlier. Typically, undermount sinks are used with Corian or Silestone or some kind of solid surface that can provide a lipless drop-in space for a sink. 


“It’s very popular in the kitchen on high-end projects,” said Judy Riley, VP global design at Moen. Typically they have angular corner and are very deep.”


Vessel sinks, which are often made of art glass or other exotic material, have become the clear second choice among designers, as 51% of NKBA member designers have specified them in the final quarter of 2010, up from 39% a year ago. Pedestal sinks are also on the rise, up from 21% to 29%. Of course these fancy sinks also need special faucets to go with them, but the NKBA survey focused more on metal finish than style when surveying the troops about these fixtures. 



Satin nickel faucets and Hardware

For both bathrooms and kitchens, consumers showed a strong preference for polished nickel. From the end of 2009 to the end of 2010, the percent of NKBA designers who specified a satin nickel faucet rose from 41% to 63% in the kitchen and from 45% to 57% in the bathroom. For brushed nickel, the numbers tumbled from 61% to 48% in the kitchen and 66% to 38% in the bathroom. 


“Most of my clients are using satin nickel in my remodels,” said Crall, of Boyce Lumber. “People had been using more expensive finishes, like oil-rubbed bronze, but they’re not spending as much on specialty products.” 


Stainless steel is still popular in the kitchen, according to the NKBA survey, as it was specified by 44% of designers. But that figure dropped to just 16% in the bathroom.

New Home Plus Floors Location

Home Plus Floors' new location in Longview is well underway and should be open in early June. The slab has been poured and the steel building will be erected next week. The new building, being built at 3408 N. 4th Street, is located between Citizen's Bank and Street Creations. When complete, this will be an 8,000 square foot showroom with the latest products and designs in flooring, window coverings, and countertops. In addition, there will be a builder/designer workroom with builder hardware and a separate entrance. This separate entrance will allow builder and designer partners access to our showroom after hours and a dedicated space to work in. All of our salespeople will be located at the new location Our warehouse and installation will continue to be located at in Greggton at 400 Pine Tree Road. Watch for more updates.

All Laminate Flooring is NOT the Same

There are so many choices when it comes to laminate flooring today. When laminate flooring was first marketed in the USA in 1994, there were few manufactures and limited choices. Back then, everything was glued together at the edge joints and problems were frequent. Through the years, major innovations and improvements have occurred including easy to install locking joint systems. So what is the difference between all of these brands? Are they all basically the same?

There are two distinct varieties of laminate flooring: Low or Direct pressure (DPL) and High Pressure Laminate (HPL). Wilsonart High Pressure Laminate (HPL) Flooring features a surface that is 3–5x thicker than Low/Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL). This extra thickness means extra protection against: • Dropped cans or dishes that dent • Toys, scooters, pets that scratch or mark • Furniture, high heels or appliances that dent.













As a leading U.S. manufacturer of high pressure laminate for decorative countertops for more than 50 years, Wilsonart is world-renowned for quality. Wilsonart's high pressure laminate flooring uses that same proven technology…which is why it’s consistently voted #1 for quality by flooring retailers.
Wilsonart Flooring has been making high quality, high pressure laminate flooring since 1996. While lots of other laminate flooring manufacturers have come and gone, they've remained true to the basic principles their flooring has always stood for - style, quality and great value. When you buy our flooring, you get more than just a floor. Wilsonart promises that your floor will meet and exceed your expectations for years to come. There is a difference.

• Founded in 1956, Wilsonart International is now a leading manufacturer of High Pressure Laminate (HPL) for decorative surfacing and countertops.

• Wilsonart Flooring uses that same proven HPL technology

• Pioneers in HPL Flooring for computer rooms and bowling alleys

• Voted #1 for quality by floor covering retailers

• The only HPL Flooring brand manufactured in the U.S.A.

• North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) Certified

New Stock Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

For 2010, Home Plus has greatly increased our selection of in-stock ceramic and porcelain tiles. Here are a few of the highlights.

From Emser, we have Genoa which beautifully interprets the look of travertine in glazed porcelain. Its unique subtle veining and soft chiseled edges bring out the rustic undertones found in travertine. We stock 13" x 13" and 20"x20". Priced at $1.55 sf for 13" and $1.72 sf for 20".

Emser Genoa Luca

Another new tile from Emser is Madrid, a glazed porcelain series that replicates the look of Turkish travertine. Its deep blends of color are named after famous Spanish beaches including Brava, Sevilla and Costa. Available at Home Plus in 13"x13" and 20"x20" sizes. The 13" tiles are $1.92 sf and the 20" tiles are $2.05 sf.

Madrid Sevilla

From Marazzi USA comes Arctic Bay. This ceramic tile exemplifies the free-spirited outlook and independent attitude favored by modern homeowners, designers and contractors. The robust tile stakes its claim with native earthen colors, boldly structured surfaces and distressed edges. Available in 12"x12" and 18"x18" in three colors: Rankin, Arviat, and Grise. A great value at $1.15 sf for 12" and $1.32 sf for 18".

Arctic Bay Arviat

Sealer & Natural Stone Basics 101

Sealer & Natural Stone Basics 101
Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Seal My Natural Stone?
This is a question we get quite often about natural stone. Although we think of stone as a hard surface, it is also porous and porosity varies by the type of stone. If left unsealed, natural stone can be stained and soiled. A protected, sealed stone will be easier to clean, resist staining, and provide a safer and healthier environment.

How can I tell if my stone has already been sealed?
Apply a drop of water at least ½-inch in diameter to the top of the stone and let stand for at least 15 minutes. Cover with a glass to inhibit evaporation. If the stone did not darken then your stone is probably sealed against water-based stains. Testing for oil repellency is not as simple because if your stone is not sealed, you will have an oil stain.

What brand of sealer does Home Plus recommend?
Home Plus Longview carries a full line of natural stone sealers in both solvent and water base, enhancers, and cleaners for natural stone products. Our perferred brand is Dupont StoneTech because of the quality and innovation that Dupont has always been know for..

How much time between coats of sealer?
Always follow your label directions. Most sealers require waiting only one hour between coats. Be patient, a little extra time can produce excellent results.
How often do I need to seal my stone?
If you sealed your stone with a quality sealer like StoneTech® Professional sealers and have maintained it with the correct cleaners, your sealer should last up to 3-5 years. Usage and maintenance greatly affects sealer durability.

Is one coat of sealer enough for natural stone?
When sealing a very dense stone, one coat will be sufficient. Most stones and grout will require two coats. A few of the more absorbent stones may need additional coats to be properly sealed. Home Plus can assist you in determining your needs.

What is a sealer?
A sealer is a penetrant applied to prevent the absorption of liquids or other debris. Natural stone sealers work like a protective coat for your stone, tile or grout. Our sealers will decrease the opportunity that anything can stain or harm your surface. We believe that you should always use an impregnating sealer allowing you to retain the natural beauty of the surface.
Will my natural stone look glossy after sealing or enhancing?
No, unless you selected a topical, high gloss sealer such as High Gloss Finishing Sealer . If properly applied, impregnating sealers will leave your surface looking natural. Enhancing sealers are designed to darken the stone while retaining the original polished, matte or honed look.


What is the difference between StoneTech Heavy-Duty Sealer and Impregnator Pro Sealer?
Stone-Tech Heavy-Duty sealer is a water-based product and Impregnator Pro is a solvent (oil) based product. Typically, solvent based sealers will allow varied and deeper penetration into the stone than water. Water is hydroscopic and will hold out on the surface. The protection cannot penetrate any deeper than the water will. For many dense surfaces, like porcelain tile and polished granite, water will not penetrate very deeply (if at all) and the protection is left at the surface with poorer durability over the long term.
Water-based products are typically lower in toxicity and have little or no smell as compared to similar solvent-based products. Contrary to some beliefs, water-based products are no easier to use or apply than comparable solvent-based products. Solvent based products are generally more expensive than water-based sealers.


When are transforming enhancing products recommended?
Enhancers can transform the stone surface by deepening the color. Most enhancers give some level of protection by including sealers in the product. Like sealers, there are solvent (oil) based products and water based products. Enhancers are almost impossible to remove, so test a small area first.

Resilient Flooring History

Origins

The first rubber floor tiles can be traced back to the 12th to 13th centuries and declined in popularity toward the end of the 17th century. Linoleum was invented and patented in 1845 and first manufactured in the U.S. in 1872.

Cork

The first cork tile floor was introduced in 1904, and became the most popular type of resilient flooring in the 1920s. It was available in a limited range of colors and designs, but was expensive and porous. Armstrong was once known as the Armstrong Cork Company.

Linoleum

Linoleum, sold as rugs, came in a wide variety of colors and patterns and was attached to the perimeter of the floor with tacks. It was sold through mail-order catalogs like Sears, Montgomery Wards and local general merchandise stores. During this time, it was used on countertops as well as floors. Linoleum remained popular until after World War II, when easy-to-maintain and durable vinyl flooring was introduced.

Asphalt Tile

Asphalt tile arrived on the scene in the 1920s, and by the 1950s, was the most widely used floor tile on the market, fueled by low initial cost and easy installation. These tiles were tough, durable, highly resistant to abrasion and moisture, and fire resistant, but the styles and patterns were limited.

Vinyl

In 1933, vinyl made its big splash when a vinyl composition tile was displayed at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. Because of the scarcity of vinyl during the war years, vinyl flooring was not widely marketed until the late 1940s, but then quickly challenged its competitors. Originally used only in high traffic areas, vinyl flooring eventually became the most popular choice for flooring in just about any hard-surface application.

In the 1950s demand for resilient flooring grew due to its superior performance characteristics when compared to flooring alternatives.
During the 1960s cushioned vinyl floors and "no-wax" resilient floors were introduced to provide underfoot comfort and ease of maintenance. During the last thirty years, specialty resilient floors which provide enhanced slip resistance and static conductivity have been developed to meet the needs of the marketplace. As late as the early 90's, customers still came in asking for rugs and meaning resilient.

Armstrong 1980's Rhino Vinyl commercials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4VzHq76GDs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX9kGQU7T_w

Today

At one point, resilient flooring was second only to carpet in floor covering sales in the United States. Although in recent years, it has been surpassed by ceramic and wood, resilient flooring continues to be a popular choice in almost any application because it is durable, easy to intain, available in many different colors and patterns and is easy to install. Recent developments include floating, fiberglass backed floors and vinyls warranteed against rips, tears, and gouges. Home Plus Longview offers Armstrong, Congoleum, and Stainmaster resilient.