Feb 5th 2010 11:47 am chevron + zig-zag + stripes {flooring-fresh, or not?}



As you may recall, over the last year or so I have had my eye on highly patterned, graphic print flooring. It started with the tile in this kitchen, my adoration was promoted by this post, and then of course, we can’t forget the launch of David Hicks’ new stone flooring line. L O V E. My little obsession has got me thinking. Installing a graphic pattern on the floor is such a long-term commitment. What’s to say I won’t tire of it and wish for a change sooner than my redecorating budget allows? That idea got me searching for some less permanent alternatives…

With companies like West Elm and Ikea jumping on the craze, does that mean that graphic print carpets are over? Their blatant knock-offs lead me to believe it’s a soon-to-pass trend ~ at least in my book! Not to mention, I could never support the notion of buying a copy-cat carpet. The largest size West Elm carpet tops out at $649, which means it is a whole lot easier on the budget than Ms. Maddie’s price upon request equivalent. I get that West Elm and Ikea bring high design to the masses, but isn’t there something to be said for being an original?
I may have moved on from striped and zig-zag carpets after this post. However, I must admit I’m still crushing on patterned stone floors! I think perhaps when it comes to carpets that this one, or this one are currently on top of my dream decorating wish list.

{Images in this post via Nate Berkus, Apartment Therapy, Making it Lovely, Country Living, From the Right Bank, Ann Sacks, Madeline Weinrib Atelier, and Remodelista}

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Posted by ABCD / Dream Decorating and Interior Design as Inspiration and Uncategorized

11 Responses to “chevron + zig-zag + stripes {flooring-fresh, or not?}”

  1. tracy hiner on 05 Feb 2010 at 12:25 pm

    I would start with a cool rug and see how you feel about it in 6 months. If you feel like changing it or needing something fresh and new then you should probably stick with rugs. That flooring would be amazing but only if you are sure you can commit. I personally could never do it because I always want to change the art, rugs, comforters, and knick knacks in my place. Let us know what you do!

  2. Paloma {LaDolceVita} on 05 Feb 2010 at 12:37 pm

    I think my heart just stopped! The flooring in the first few pics is BANANAS amazing! A rug might be the way to go since it is less permanent and easier to change if you should ever get tired of the pattern. Love this post!

  3. ABCD on 05 Feb 2010 at 12:49 pm

    Ladies, I hear you on the carpet, but does it annoy you that lower lines like Ikea and West Elm have basically knocked Madeline Weinrib off?

    I can’t get past it. :(
    ABCD

  4. Camberley on 05 Feb 2010 at 12:50 pm

    If I had the money, I would definately do a patterned stone floor – Stunning! However, my budget is more in lines with patterned rugs. My mom and I were looking at Company C’s rugs on Monday. They have some fun patterns.

    http://www.companyc.com/handmade-area-rugs.htm?p=all

    ~C

  5. Lydia, Clueless Crafter on 05 Feb 2010 at 2:14 pm

    What’s the difference in quality between the Weinrib and the West Elm’s knock offs? At this point, I guess we have to consider the craftsmanship and materials, no?

    In a heartbeat, I’d do stone floors. The texture on my feet is worth the price. Okay, well I think it is.

  6. Andi on 05 Feb 2010 at 5:23 pm

    Oh wow, these pictures are just gorgeous!!! Love the patterns, esp the tiles in the 1st pics. :)

  7. Jenny on 05 Feb 2010 at 8:30 pm

    Those tile floors are amazing!

  8. Tobi Fairley on 06 Feb 2010 at 11:18 pm

    Amy,
    I wouldn’t count out these rugs yet. I think they are phenominal and something that I would never grow tired of. They are classics in my opinion. Of course I prefer the originals by Madeline Weinrib, she is one of my all time faves. But I could see myself using the attractive knock-offs in less important spaces like my daughter’s room or my guest room. I am sure Madeline is annoyed just a bit, but I think she has plenty of die-hard fans like me that will still buy her originals now matter what else is out there. I mean, I still buy real chanel bags even though there are knock offs all around. I really do think that imitation is the best form of flattery and I don’t really think that the people who will buy the west elm versions are Madeline’s ideal client anyway. I think a classic is a classic is a classic, and I think there is room enought for both the high and low end in the market. So there’s my 2 cents worth. :-) I love this post. Keep up the great work! xoxo Tobi

  9. tracy hiner on 07 Feb 2010 at 11:41 am

    I agree with Tobi, I think there is room for everyone and every price point, even within the same house. I believe that if you can afford/justify paying for an original then do it, but I also feel that if you like a rug (or anything else for that matter) and it is a cheaper knock off then go with it, as long as you are getting something you will love it shouldn’t matter if it is the expensive or cheaper version. Sometimes I do find the chain store versions I like better than whatever they are knocking off! My last point is that I prefer to spend my money supporting companies and designers I truly appreciate over a chain store any day.

  10. tracy hiner on 07 Feb 2010 at 11:53 am

    Amy,

    To your point that it is annoying that stores like Ikea and West Elm knock off designers, I agree 100%. I know that they send out their teams to scour other high end stores and purchase items from those stores to take back and figure out how to knock it off, which is very disturbing when a store thinks it made a big sale and 3 months later finds their pieces for sale in a catalog. I also know from developing product for stores like that, they look through magazines and send you “ideas” meaning they want it exactly as shown, not a new take on the idea. Then they pass the idea on to their legal teams to see if it would be different enough to avoid copyright infringement. it’s just kind of sad that that is how they handle those types of things. :-(

  11. Sara Baldwin on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:15 am

    Yes, intellectual property is a very misunderstood issue. I just had a Chinese company go to our website, copy all our new black and white patterns (http://www.newravenna.com/collections), and send them to me. They were very proud of their work. And to give them the benefit of the doubt, they want to work with us and perhaps I won’t see New Ravenna designs in their booth at the next trade show, available to all my competition. But still, it freaks me out. We just have to continue to pull rabbits out of our hats. Complacency is deadly (and boring)…it’s good to have to continue to be on our toes, to constantly innovate. There will always be customers who buy the real Hermes handbag. Those customers appreciate originality, and those are the clients that I want!
    PS. We also do zig-zag chevrons (see our patterns submitted by Studium to House Beautiful this month), but like Madeline, we’ve been doing versions of them for years…

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