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The proud flooring supplier of The Block NZ Firehouse

Apartment 1 – Lisa & Ribz

Lisa and Ribz used our Malmo Exquisit Laminate in Nostalgie Teak Graphite throughout their entire apartment and were the only team to forgo carpet. They were also the only team to use a hard floor in their Master Bedroom, a room with a bold green feature wall but anchored by their rich brown floor lead them to their only room reveal.

Malmo Exquisit Laminate radiates warmth and is as pleasant to walk on as solid wood. Its embossed grained and matte surface shimmer gives it an authentic look. Its scratch resistant, durable properties makes it a perfect hard floor option for busy families.

Using hard floor in the entire house is a modern yet practical choice of flooring and really fitted the New York loft feel of the apartment.

Apartment 2 – Stacy & Adam

Stacy and Adam went for a mix of light and dark flooring in their house to create a strong contrast. They chose Rhino Portland in Skywalker a dark charcoal colour for their kids bedroom, which they went on to win. Rhino Carpet is perfect for homes with kids and pets because when spills and life happen, it won’t leave a lasting impact on your carpet.

The couple chose a warm honey coloured oak look floor (Waveless Oak Nature) from our Malmo Exquisit Laminate range to use in their kitchen, dining and living space which was a winner with the judges. The embossed grain and matte surface give it the authentic look and feel of warm natural wood.

The strong contrast between the dark carpet and the light wood-look flooring worked really well in their stylish and modern home.

Apartment 3 – Ethan & Sam

Ethan and Sam chose to use our Malmo Exquisit Laminate in Prestige Oak Light throughout their kitchen, hallway and living areas. The Malmo Exquisit Laminate radiates warmth and is as pleasant to walk on as solid wood. The contrast of the light floor with their darker hues throughout the house worked really nicely at creating the perfect balance of colour.

In the three bedrooms the boys opted for our exclusive Rhino Portland carpet in Dried Peat, a slightly darker carpet to offset the lighter tones used on the walls and throughout the furniture. Portland has Rhino’s patented Forever Clean technology making it easy maintenance for those with pets and families because of its stain resistance and easy to clean technology.

Penthouse – Sophia & Mikaere

Sophia and Mikaere choose to use our Rhino Portland Carpet in Vader in the bedrooms of their Penthouse Apartment. This dark charcoal grey colour works great in these spaces as it creates a cosiness while adding depth.

For the kitchen, dining and living space they choose our Malmo Mammut Laminate in Makro Oak Light Grey. The soft grey colour provides a great contrast with their light walls and dark carpet. The extra long planks of Malmo Mammut are great for making a small space appear bigger and a large space less busy as the shorter the plank the busier it will look.

See something you like? Pop into store and one of our friendly team will help you get the best look on your block.

Spring is in the air and so are warm terracotta earth tones.

This trend is based around a palette of warm earth tones…rust, baked clay and desert rose are offset by deep plum, stone and charcoal accents. Comforting and relaxed, these grounding hues are inspired by the natural elements. Colour ways reflect the warmer hues coming in to home-furnishings. Orangey-rusty-rosy colours are a direct evolution of the blush tones claiming the spotlight for the last few years. In fact, they mix quite well with the millennial pinks and dusky lavenders that have dominated the trends.

When it comes to the styling, keep it modern and light. Balance strong accent colours with Creamy whites and soft greys. Feel free to let your personality shine. This colour direction can be tailored to suit anyone from the bohemian to the minimalist.

Embrace the moment by using plenty of natural materials for your spring home-decor updates. Think rattan, wicker, and cane along with natural organic fibers and textiles. Accessories made by hand are the stars of the season. Etsy, Trade-Aid & your local craft fair are full of wonderful, hand-made and often one-of-a-kind pieces.

This interior featuring curtains and accessories from Curtain Studio perfectly embodies Radiant Earth. Achieve this warm wood flooring look with Malmo Mammut in Mountain Oak Brown.

Featuring: Custom blush velvet curtains, August cushion, Luna blush cushion, Stonewashed Linen blush cushion, Nest blush cushion from CurtainStudio.

This image from Elle Décor shows how a soft grey floor offsets a rich terracotta scheme.

Get the look with Malmo Mammut in Makro Oak Light Grey.

Carpet is taking on character, it’s no longer just wall to wall and flat finish; texture, weave design and edging are all playing a part in this year’s trends for carpet.

Give your floors some personality, if you don’t feel brave enough to do it wall to wall then don’t forget about carpet squares or rugs! Such a good way to inject trend or life into something that is still the foundation of your interior.

Entrance ways are packing a punch this year. You can treat this space so differently from anywhere else in your home; the entrance can be dramatic, sophisticated, opulent. Set the tone, if your home is full of neutrals and soft colours, then you could consider a deep beige or wheat colour carpet or rug with texture and pattern. Don’t dismiss jute as something to add substance, colour and weave.

Low pile heights are popular for 2019 – easier to clean and better for moving furniture and opening doors. They also have a sleekness to them that is relevant for this season.

Multi-colour rugs and carpets with patterns are also on the move; blues, greens, taupe’s, and chocolates are all on point with soft organic shapes and multi textural heights.

I know you have heard it before but grey is here to stay! It is still extremely popular and is such a good base colour for all palettes; but the greys of this season have developed and there’s a subtle hint of blue edging its way in.

In addition to looking chic and trendy, grey carpet sets the tone of a cool, contemporary space. It gives you a neutral backdrop for decorating in virtually any colour. Aqua, greens, bright bold colours or even black and white – they will all go with your sleek grey carpet.

If you’re wanting to redecorate for the upcoming cooler months, our friendly sales staff would love to help! Head into your local store or fill in a free measure and quote form and we will be in touch.

Colourphobia is on the way out! We said this for the beginning of summer and it’s here to stay; the only difference being is the tones become more saturated as the days shorten and the weather starts its inevitable turn.

Terracotta is the new kid on the block and can be seen as the link between the inside and out. It’s soft, warm, stony browns work beautifully with the navy’s and indigo’s that are coming through this winter. I’m not a great taupe or beige fan, but I have to say it is a super combination when you put these three together.

Copper is also showcasing its self this year, we have already seen a big surge of rose gold and brass metal, but copper with its red and orange tones is playing right into the earthy notes of this year’s winter palette. That’s not to say brass is gone, it’s just having to share the lime light and is competing well with a more muted, antiqued variation of what we’ve been seeing.

Forest green and saturated yellows are part of this year’s palette, just be mindful to use these as accents. Start small with colour if you are experimenting, and see how you visually react to it as it’s easier to change out a cushion that repaint every wall!

Lilac grey is a beautiful option for those who want that sophisticated hint of urban cool, but still require warmth and depth in the colour palette. The addition of lilac makes greys warmer, it’s subtle enough for you not to tire of it easily and is a great neutral for all seasons.

Our Design Ambassador, Jane Carolan from Venia Design, tells us about an exciting new hardfloor range.

With the summer we have been having, and the hottest March on record, the doors will remain wide open and floors will still be covered with all the trappings of outdoor living for a while longer yet, and while we make the most of these sun drenched days, we can firm up new flooring decisions.

For some reason I end up with a flurry of calls at the end of summer from clients wanting advice on new flooring choices – I’m not sure if it’s because they are noticing their flooring has been thrashed over summer or if it’s the thought of seasonal change that brings on this particular cyclical trend.

If you are thinking about giving new life to your floor do not dismiss the new hard flooring from Malmo, truly giving you the best of both worlds, style and durability, something we all strive for but rarely manage to land on.

The first thing I ask my clients is “what do you want and what do you need” ….. before they understand the vast array of choices there is a pre curser of imminent sadness as they think durability will narrow their choice significantly leaving them with a fear of not being able to have want they want.

However, this is not the case and now Malmo has stepped in and given us not just one, but three hard flooring options that are stylish, timeless and very cost effective.

But how do you make the right choices to remove all of life’s challenges and protect one of your most expensive interior decisions? Review your givens; children, small and large; pets, shaggy or clawed; husbands, messy or tidy!

Your light source is also an important factor, how much light do you get and do you need to protect your flooring from it. We have exceptionally strong UV light in New Zealand that can fade and distress products but, Laminate is second to only ceramics for best fade resistance.

When reviewing durability, I can only suggest that anything natural will wear more so than something manmade – “eeek” I hear you say, “plastic and vinyl flooring should only be in a motel”.

The explosion of love towards hardwood flooring created a market for companies to develop products that are price sensitive, effective, durable and stylish and Laminate has grown in strength due to all of these reasons. Most of these new Malmo ranges have a feature called EIR which is when the embossing of the top surface of the Laminate is registered to the picture beneath giving a natural wood grain. Shine and matte finishes have also been strategically placed to give the perfectly imperfect wood-look floor.

Laminate flooring combines attractive décors, a hard wearing and scratch resistant surface on a high density core board. These man made products provide a level of durability and stability that a natural wood floor can only dream of while remaining a great option while on a budget. It’s a total solution to your wants and your needs!

The décor layer is infused in melamine to stabilize the depth of colour while the top most layer of aluminium oxide (known for its toughness) creates an extremely hard wearing finish giving peace of mind regardless of your children, pets and husbands! These are laminated to the high density core board with a final balancing layer of melamine on the bottom providing structural stability for our ever changing climate.

Mammuts extra-long boards are also extra hard, accommodating the toughest needs and have an authentic natural look and feel to them which is perfect given our love of all things texture. The colour range is spot on with a concise selection ranging from soft grey to warm natural oak which is perfectly on trend, and with a new Moisture Protection it’s certainly a more stable product than natural timber and can be laid quickly and cost effectively.

If for some reason you can’t find what you are looking for in the Malmo Mammut range, then check out the Malmo Exquisit range, which is more focused on diversity and individuality offering a range of patterns and hues giving you a floor which is as natural as wood. Its comfort and warmth offers all the features we want in a wood floor and is a true representation of natural timber, comfortable and with a sense of pure solidness. The matte surface finish feels authentic and replicates a typical floor board look and feel. This is not suitable for wet areas but is extremely durable and perfect for the rest of your home. The colour selection is great for our southern hemisphere light and the range covers everything from dark and moody to urban greys and soft pines.

Laminate flooring is truly revolutionary as it’s an engineered timber at a much lower cost. The beauty is, the engineered or man-made component of the product has mitigated issues such as bowing, buckling and warping between boards and has allowed us to use it basically anywhere with confidence.

Malmo has taken the best of this European made product and selected a well thought out colour range offering all the natural components of wood strengthened with man-made technology giving us flooring solutions that fulfill both our wants and needs!

As written by Franchise New Zealand

Carpet Court franchise partners enjoy a firm footing to build lasting relationships.

When Joe Southon started looking at three different franchise opportunities he found the choice pretty straightforward. ‘Carpet Court came up trumps by a long way,’ he says. ‘Since that time in 2008, the franchise has given my wife, Anna, and my three children a very good lifestyle with pretty good rewards. And as a bonus, many clients have become friends, too.’

Joe was in the telecommunications manufacturing industry, and reached board room level. ‘Senior management was far too political, though, so I decided to take a break from it and work for myself. I acquired some rental properties but found I’d gone from one extreme to another and just got bored. I decided to look around for an existing business so I could walk straight into cashflow, rather than starting from fresh and trying to grow it.’

Joe found two small independent carpet shops, one in Paraparaumu and the other in Levin, and bought them both. ‘However, when the global meltdown began to strike in 2008 I saw the writing on the wall, and it became clear that becoming part of a group would be a lot more advantageous than being a tiny independent with no buying power.’ That’s when Joe started investigating the options.

‘Deciding to join the Carpet Court group was pretty easy. I enjoy working in a structured environment with a proper support office and team behind me, and I like the idea of specialist departments devoted to IT, HR, Marketing and Product Development. I also know the value of a discipline of monthly reporting and KPIs. The other groups I looked at didn’t do that, or offer the same level of support, so I rebranded my stores, installed the Carpet Court systems and it has worked out very well.

‘With Carpet Court I have the buying power of a really large group plus better cost base and margins. Carpet Court refers to us as ‘franchise partners’, not ‘franchisees’, and I think that’s key. Relationships go a long way with customers, contractors and staff. If you are easy-going and create a bright atmosphere and working environment, then people want to work with you.’

Big Benefits

With almost 60 stores, Carpet Court is New Zealand’s largest flooring retailer. ‘This gives our franchise partners big advantages of scale over all aspects of their business from buying power to exclusive supply deals, marketing to systems management,’ says Colin Jones, Head of Retail. ‘Now we are seeking suitable people to open or convert new outlets in key locations around the country.

‘Carpet Court are the leaders in both the retail residential market and the commercial office market. We have national relationships with insurance companies, group builders, retirement village operators and most other large commercial organisations. With additional stores, we expect to grow the three million square metres of floor we already cover each year, giving our franchise partners even more muscle.’

Roger Faber's Carpet Court is part of the Gisborne community

Longterm Success

Ask Roger Faber what he did before he joined Carpet Court and he laughs. ‘I went to school! It’s the only place I’ve worked, and as I’m pushing 60 now, I think it’s going to remain that way. In 1978 I left Gisborne High School and started as an apprentice installer. A few years later I began to have knee issues following football injuries, and was advised that continuing with floor and carpet installations was not a good idea. The owner at the time offered me a post quoting and selling in the shop, which I did through until 1998 when, with another employee, Bill Harrison, we bought the business. We’ve been here ever since, though Bill has just sold his shares.’

Despite buying a business that Roger describes as ‘a very tight ship’, the new owners buckled down and managed to increase turnover by a massive 50 percent in their first year. ‘We did it by focusing on builders, chasing commercial work and increased margins, and by focusing on relationships, as Joe says. The majority of our customers buy the whole package from measuring to installing, so you need good relationships with your tradies to manage the work through.

‘Another major component of our success in a provincial centre like Gisborne has been the relationship with the community. I’ve put a lot of effort into that, and spending time at places like the fishing club getting to know builders and members has paid dividends for the business. People see you, and it grows from there as people refer you on. It may be a bit different in a big city, but it’s certainly worked for me!’

Is it for you?

What do you need to succeed as a Carpet Court franchise partner? ‘You need to be a good manager and have a sales-driven focus,’ says Colin. ‘As Joe and Roger have said, you also need to be comfortable building relationships at all levels.

‘For new franchise partners, we provide design and assist in fit-out management, as well as training and initial and ongoing support. An investment of around $250,000 will be required for a brand new store, with the exact amount depending on location and fit-out.

‘If that appeals to you, Carpet Court’s highly-effective business model can offer big long-term rewards with a very attractive lifestyle. To find out more, contact me.’

See this advertorial on page 51 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 28 Issue 1

With the arrival of summer and the lightening of our general mood we often feel we want to lighten our surroundings. The Scandi trend is still very relevant but has taken on more of a coastal feel. The flooring choices in this area have been vast if selecting a wood plank with a number of durable light blonde and white washed products on the market. However, trying to find a carpet that can continue this lightened wood theme has been near impossible and really only viable if you lived an immaculate life as the stain resistance properties weren’t available.

Wanting what we can’t have is frustrating and I have often thought this about wool vs synthetic carpet: if only I could have all the amazing properties synthetic offers but with a more natural look and feel.

Thankfully the latest edition of Rhino™ carpet – Rhode Island, has solved the dilemma. With a new exclusive yarn system, you can now have the wool-effect without the worry of stains, giving us the ability to take a consistent light floor throughout our environment and not suffer the consequences of it.

The durability and softness in this carpet is from the synthetic components along with its low sheen giving it a natural look and feel which really does make it feel like wool.

The children can forget to take their shoes off (or you can forget to tell them), the dog can sneak past you and track unforgiving paw prints through the house and yes… red wine will no longer be banned from your parties.

Aside from all this goodness the colour range is extremely well thought out. A tight collection of warm soft taupes to cooler greys and a smattering of accent colours that could work well as carpet squares or provide a pop in a dressing room or study. The range covers all fields and offers on point solutions that work well with a range of wood flooring.

Enjoy summer and enjoy hassle free flooring.

See our Rhode Island carpet

As written by Franchise New Zealand.

Carpet Court’s franchise partners find huge growth from proven business model

In business, tripling turnover is the kind of dream that everyone has, but rarely achieves. Not so Graeme Quilty from Rotorua, who turned ‘a business that covered wages’ into a thriving concern by becoming a Carpet Court franchise partner, as the company calls its franchisees. He admits that it wasn’t planned: ‘Carpet Court wanted a store in the area and came knocking. At the time we didn’t really understand the worth of being part of a major franchise, nor did they over-emphasise the value. It took a lot of debating on our part before we joined, but it quickly paid off and this year we are actually looking forward to a genuine holiday!’

Graeme’s original business opened in Rotorua in 1999 and, as he says, ‘We did ok. The business ran well for 15 years with good local contacts bringing in work and us purchasing materials on our own, with no national discounted rates. It was a well-run business but we were on our own, no buying power and margins were tight. The key to our massive growth since joining Carpet Court has been the huge buying power the franchise has, the exclusive deals they negotiate and the major contracts with big organisations such as insurance companies. We went from a provincial store to a big money-making concern almost overnight … and we certainly haven’t regretted it,’ he chuckles.

‘There are so many benefits it’s hard to list them all. For example, as an independent we could never get exclusive items made for us but with Carpet Court, major suppliers are happy to produce exclusive items for the franchise. Things like this meant that, in addition to tripling our turnover, our profit margin went up considerably as well. We’re flying!’

Bigger and Better

The Carpet Court Group is the country’s largest flooring retailer, with almost 60 stores giving it big advantages of scale in everything from buying power to marketing, systems management and software.

‘We serve a huge market as we are the leaders both in the retail residential and commercial flooring markets,’ says Colin Jones, Head of Retail. ‘We have on-going business through our national relationships with insurance companies, group builders, retirement village operators and many other large commercial organisations. That all adds up to around three million square metres of quality floor coverings a year.

‘With additional stores we expect to push that figure much higher, so we are now seeking suitable people to open more new stores in key locations around the country. You don’t need flooring experience, but a business, sales or management background are important.’

Graeme Quilty turned a business that covered wages into a thriving concern by becoming a Carpet Court franchise partner

Adding Huge Value

Alan Bucknell is another to have experienced the power of Carpet Court, having started as a carpet layer at the age of 16. ‘We opened an independent floor and carpet business in Whangarei in about 2002 and joined Carpet Court six years later after realising that big advertising and buying power were things we simply didn’t have – or even know much about! Like Graeme in Rotorua, we stayed in the same premises but changed the branding and it was just like switching on a light. Everything simply grew from there – saying we became very successful would be an understatement.

‘Obviously we know our market and area pretty well, but Carpet Court gives us a real competitive advantage,’ he says. ‘Although we are a shop, I think we have very different dynamics to a “normal” retail operation. You must be sales-driven, so employing the right people in the right places is vital, and you must be a people person yourself as you’ll be dealing with everyone from installers to home-owners to business customers. If you work hard, this business can be very exciting and rewarding.

‘There’s so much the Carpet Court team does for us – they have a group of specialists in all sorts of areas, including digital marketing and television advertising. We’d never have those kinds of resources as a small independent store. We’ve always had excellent and very professional support when needed, and anyone joining the group would benefit from all that knowledge and experience from day one.

‘At the end of the day, joining Carpet Court has added huge value to the business and made it much more sellable when the time comes.

Big Rewards, Attractive Lifestyle

‘Carpet Court is now looking to appoint new franchisees for strategic locations around the country,’ says Colin Jones. ‘We provide design and assist in fit-out management, as well as training and initial and ongoing support. An investment of around $250,000 will be required for a brand new store, with the exact amount depending on location and fit-out, and conversions are welcome too.’

Colin concludes, ‘The Carpet Court franchise is a proven and very effective business model that offers big long-term rewards with a very attractive lifestyle for the right people. If you’re interested in finding out more, contact me.’

See this advertorial on page 55 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 27 Issue 4

The proud flooring supplier of The Block on Point

House 1 – Claire & Agni

Claire and Agni went for a tone on tone flooring combo in their house. They chose to use Impressive Saw Cut Oak Grey Laminate in their kitchen, family and dining room, along with the entry, WC and laundry. This is the perfect product for splash prone areas as it is water-resistant and enables continuity throughout the home.

The carpet in their home was Rhino Portland Shadow Taupe, a beautifully soft carpet underfoot with Rhino’s Forever Clean technology making it easy maintenance for those with pets and families because of its stain resistance.

House 2 – Tom & Ben

Tom and Ben went for a strong contrasting look with the flooring in their house. They chose the very dark Malmo Nordic Storm Carpet to go in the bedrooms providing a cosy space. Malmo Nordic has a lovely thick plush feel and aesthetic at a price that won’t break the bank.

In the rest of the house they went with the light coloured Impressive White Varnished Oak Laminate, this is the ideal product for continuity throughout the home as it is water-resistant and can go in those splash prone areas like the kitchen and WC as well as everywhere else if fancy.

The strong contrast worked really well in their stylish and modern home.

House 3 – Chlo & Em

Chlo & Em also chose to go with a contrasting floor combo, though they went with a light carpet, Valour Midi Defy and dark hard flooring with Malmo Sync Chrome Arosa Oak.

Valour Midi Defy is a Cavalier Bremworth Solution Dyed Nylon. This beautiful cream colour brings a very elegant and sophisticated feel to a home. It goes well with everything and really pops next to dark hard floors, walls or furniture.

Malmo Sync Chrome is a stylish Europen Laminate that mixes satin finishes with gloss to give unprecedented 3D perspective and realism. It is family friendly, pet friendly, scratch resistant and hard wearing and comes in 8 stylish and natural look colours.

House 4 – Amy & Stu

Amy and Stu opted for a warm coloured hard floor with Korlok Natural Blackbutt in their kitchen, dining room, entry and WC and Malmo Monte Rosa Perfect Taupe Carpet in the bedrooms, study, lounge and on the stairs.

Monte Rosa is the perfect choice if you are refreshing the carpet before selling as it is well priced and great looking! Plus, comes in 9 trendy colours to choose from.

Korlok is a beautiful quality vinyl plank which takes all the best elements of a rigid core floor. It is great for a family home and is pet friendly too. It’s easy to maintain, hard wearing and water and stain resistant.

COLOUR

I don’t know how many times we say it but it is still true, Spring and Summer 2018 is all about bringing the outside in. Our love affair with nature and all its beauty is still on point and will forever be.

This season we will see a celebration of beautiful gentle and unusual colour combinations and an exploration of textures.

There may be tiny flashes of jewel colours, but soft and recessive collaborative tones will be an exciting new direction for not only this season but the year ahead. Mix this with the juxtaposition of the other strong colour trend POP Culture and the world of interiors is a riot.

The palette be it bright or light is holistic, a collection of gentle pastels and self-contained neutrals or bold, assured primary’s. The array of colour choice for 2019 is vast and embodies choice.

From warm whites and pale gold, to skin toned nudes, peachy tans and don’t forget blush and rose. Both muddied and warm, dusty and sleepy colours are on the Spring hit list.

Mix these soft neutral shades with crisp shades of mint, watermelon, flourishing greens, cocoa browns, shades of terracotta and Klein blue to take your spring look into the revelry of summer colour.

Inspired by the launch of Gucci’s first restaurant in Florence, The Gucci Garden, the trend adored has to be the bottle green colour scheme, most evident in the wealth of luscious fabrics on display, including velvet and silks.

Throw in a pop of gold with bottle green to create an opulent art deco ambience, perfect for the luxury home.

Greens and golds always look their best against dark wood and very crisp walls. Although we saw this tropical-inspired trend arrive towards the end 2017 it still firmly remains and is undoubtedly one of the must- have colours for your home in 2018/2019.

How we have loved Navy, but it’s time to release that strong hold and enter SAGE. Recently shared images to Pinterest show sage booming in popularity as people adopt it as a ‘new neutral’, colouring lounges and bedrooms alike, a colour that’s soft restful and akin to a warm cashmere jersey, it wraps itself around you in a nurturing way.

Product Images (left to right): Rhino EverCore Herringbone Tortoise Shell, COREtec Naturals Herringbone Meadow, COREtec Naturals Herringbone Forest, Karndean Art Select Parquet Black Oak

PATTERN

2018 will see a new trend coming straight out of the 70s. We have already got used to decorating with tiles, bold patterns, unusual shades and vintage furniture, but this year we will go for even more pronounced graphics in ceramics, in a combination of colours that we considered dull – if not ugly – before like brown and orange or mint green and grey.

Vintage 70s inspired pottery will be proudly displayed and new versions of 70s designed tiles will make our floors much more interesting and eye-catching don’t forget this can also be done in vinyl! Amazing vinyl patterned flooring is coming out of Europe and we are falling in love with it, as it’s so durable and easy to live with.

Gerflor Texline Comfort 'Mandala Clear' Vinyl in Kids bedroom — Gerflor Texline Comfort Lisboa Blue

Gerflor Texline Comfort 'Lisboa Blue' Vinyl — Gerflor Texline Comfort Lisboa Blue

WALLPAPER

After suffering years of neglect and a bad reputation for being “old-fashioned”, wallpaper is back on the interior design scene with a vengeance. It is now used not only to add depth to the decor, but to create an all-new visual perspective and infuse interiors with moods and feelings. Wall coverings are taking on a role as works of art. From botanical garden or the simplest stripes on the wall. It’s a great way to add texture and design to your room.

INTERIORS

Modern Vintage has always been a popular design style but we’ve seen an increased interest in this design trend. In this age of recycling, customers like the idea of shopping for vintage items such as lighting and furniture and taking the best design styles of past eras, then merging them with modern living.

Also, no more buying furniture that is not to scale with the room. A large armchair next to a small sofa, a tiny piece of artwork above a large sprawling corner sofa can throw the whole room off – gauge your space, make sure that the pieces you choose fit the room but also fit with the other pieces around it.

This will create a cohesive effect throughout the space and provide continuity and flow.

Credit: Nordiska Kök, Kitchen Designers | Sweden

Boho Style is the 2018 interiors trend that will continue into 2019. It isn’t even really a trend – or at least not a new one. It has been around for centuries and continues to hold a special place in many hearts and homes. From top UK interior designers to intrepid and stylish hunter-gatherers, there is a renewed focus on designs from North Africa, India, South America and Malaysia. Think Raw & Refined with comfort and authentic tones, uplifting colours with a nod to botanics on every level GREEN and more GREEN from soft and natural to poppy bright emeralds! Mix these with matt black accents for a slightly boho tribal feel and embrace 2019.

In design terms we are forecasting a trend will begin to emerge that is experimental and advocates creativity. We are already starting to see that with the use of colour and texture in everything from a cushion fringe to a patterned plant.

It will embrace change, be multi-cultural, multi-coloured, multi-layered and gives you the freedom to do what you want, when you want. The colours are bright and bold, the materials are innovative in their recycling methods, the products are adaptable and the patterns are dynamic.

Experiment with colour and texture to create your own individual style.

As written by Franchise New Zealand

Carpet Court franchise partners have a strong brand and systems underfoot

Ronnie Montgomery appreciates the value of the Carpet Court franchise more than most. Having set up a flooring and installation business in Upper Hutt with his brother-in-law in 2001, the pair spent a dozen years building it successfully, ‘But we never reached the level I craved – until we joined Carpet Court four years ago,’ says Ronnie. ‘Since then, we’ve never looked back.

‘Everyone knows the Carpet Court brand, and I’d always followed their growth closely, saying I’d be happy to take a store if it became available. Well, the chance came in 2014. We didn’t even move shops – all we did was rebrand on the same site, and we’ve been flying ever since.’

The Carpet Court Group is New Zealand’s largest flooring retailer with over 60 stores, meaning franchisees enjoy big advantages in buying power, group marketing and almost every other aspect of business. ‘Our stores serve a very wide customer base indeed,’ says head of retail Colin Jones. ‘We are leaders in the retail residential market, the commercial office market, and have national relationships with insurance companies, group builders, retirement village operators and most other large commercial organisations.

‘We have key relationships with Mohawk, the world’s largest flooring company, and Cavalier Bremworth, New Zealand’s most trusted wool carpet brand. In addition, our direct sourcing programme imports exclusive high quality well-priced products from international manufacturers that are then distributed through our central warehouse. With television and digital marketing support (including a recent partnership on The Block NZ), Carpet Court sell more than three million square metres of flooring each year on average. Now we want more franchised stores in strategic areas to push that figure even higher.’

"All we did was rebrand on the same site, and we've been flying ever since" - Ronnie Montgomery, Carpet Court

Exceeding Expectations

Ronnie says it wasn’t just the impressive figures and the buying power that encouraged him to join Carpet Court. ‘I’d talked to many people in the industry, and got to know many of the franchisees, so I had all the low-down on how good the business actually was. That gave me a great deal of confidence.’ Like any good businessman, Ronnie still ran the figures past an accountant who knew the industry well. ‘He was right, he’s still right and so am I,’ he laughs. ‘We’ve reached and even exceeded the level I was aiming for.’

Four years on, Ronnie cannot say enough about the franchise or the support he has received over the years. ‘I’ve had all the back-office support I could want, and help is never more than a phone call away. Since I joined they’ve introduced a new training programme for staff and many other improvements – honestly, without their support we’d never be where we are today.’

Putting Sales and Management Skills to Work

In Te Awamutu, Brett Watson joined Carpet Court back in 2003, before it developed from a buying co-operative into a fully-supported franchise. ‘I’d done pretty well in the alarm industry after being a livestock agent for some years,’ he explains. ‘I was semi-retired, but my wife was quite keen I should go back to work. Well, as I quickly discovered, once you pass 50 your options are limited. Then I found an advertisement for a business, worked out it was the local Carpet Court and, to cut a long story short, I’d bought it within about an hour!’

Brett considers himself lucky. ‘I knew nothing about the industry whatsoever, but as the franchise developed more systems and with good management and good marketing, I turned the store from an “also ran” into what is consistently one of the best performers in the group, despite being in a small town. It’s a great business.

‘Fifteen years on I’m still loving it, and much of that is down to the culture in the franchise. We have some very good operators, and they are more than willing to help out newer franchisees in any way required. That’s what I’ve really enjoyed about the business – we are a network, and everybody has their own mentor, as well as the support from the franchisor team. From the point of view of building the business, it helps if you live in the district – people like to know who you are and what you do, so if you are prepared to get out there in the community and put in the hours, the business will serve you well.’ Ronnie Montgomery agrees: ‘These days, most of my business comes from referrals,’ he smiles.

"15 years on, I'm still loving it" - Brett Watson, Carpet Court

Long Term Business

Carpet Court is seeking suitable people to open new outlets in key locations around the country. An investment of around $250,000 will be required, with the total depending on location and fit-out. Carpet Court provides design and assists in fit-out management, as well as training and initial and ongoing support.

Ronnie sums up his experience. ‘My decision to buy the Carpet Court franchise four years ago has been totally vindicated and we’ve never looked back. Any business needs time and effort to succeed, but Carpet Court has delivered great results and a great lifestyle.’

Colin Jones concludes, ‘As Ronnie and Brett have both proved, if you work at it then Carpet Court can offer franchisees big long-term rewards. To learn more, contact me and let’s talk.’

See this advertorial on page 15 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 27 Issue 3

Malmo’s collections have been created to help inspire.

Malmo have used a local interior designer to help create different collections to inspire customers and help them visualise the look they want. These collections have been curated using different flooring styles, Resene paints, interior decor and furniture so that each look can be recreated easily.

Here’s an insight into the four collections and how you can create them for yourself at home.

Relaxed Noir

A true mix of urban colour and scandi vibes. The simplicity of the Nordic look has been given strength through layers of natural fibres and mineral colours.

How to get the look

Strong in either colour or texture. Carpets with a woven or thicker pile will give a sense of depth. Keep floorboards wide and put the bed on a rug for layering. If using a headboard keep it simple with clean lines and square corners – plain charcoal linen can work well. Stay within the same palette of colour but reduce and increase the strength and tone of colour from wall to bedding or vice versa.

Resene Paint colour match – Half Fuscous Grey, Quarter Tapa, Black White, Athens Grey

Mid Century Chic

A sharp but not sparse take on mid-century flair. Perfect for urban living and apartment dwellings, its simple yet elegant style remains timeless and offers a lot without complication. Warm tones can be incorporated into the look with a lean towards plum and blush accents.

How to get the look

Carpets should be mid tone, donkey grey, taupes and mushroom browns. Floorboards are a mid to wide width and a less textured approach. The furniture makes the look. Leather or dark coloured fabric sofas, preferably velvet with a thin arm and leg style work best here. Don’t be sparse – this is not minimalist but is sharp. Soften it with colour.

Resene Paint colour match – Bazaar, Black Rose, Eighth Tea, Eighth Napa

Natural Living

Reminiscent of holiday vibes, this look embraces our love of nature and indoor, outdoor flow. Floor colours should be light and slightly washed out, paired with bolder colours in walls and furniture to make a statement. Slimline wood and leather adds to the earthy, natural retreat theme.

How to get the look

The casual nature of this look suits hardflooring. Creating a seamless sense of style, this look is not just restricted to dining rooms and can be carried throughout the whole house. Mineral colour carpets work brilliantly with this informal pared back theme. This is a great look to add a mix of modern and old as long as it’s not over layered and pieces are kept light in form.

Resene paint colour match – Balderbash, Rolling Stone, Napa, Quarter Albescent White

Urban Comfort

A soft, relaxed and uncluttered style with a lean towards urban trends. Simplicity is key with warm greys and mid browns forming the base colours. Jewelled tones in luxe fabrics complete the look.

How to get the look

Floorboards should remain wide and with a grain as there needs to be a sense of texture but do not go rustic. Greys and mid brown walnuts work well with this trend. Metal accents in gold, brass or silver can be introduced through coffee and side tables to again add strength without clutter – keep lines thin and structured in design.

Resene paint colour match – Licorice, Prairie Sand, Double White Pointer, Alabaster

You can get a free measure and quote on all Malmo products sold at Carpet Court or you can pop into your local store and see the products for yourself.