Blog Archives

The leaves are changing and the temperature, after all this glorious heat, is finally starting to give us a sense of what’s to come. Autumn feels some what tempestuous rather than an easing into the ambers and soft brown flurries we expect at this time of the year. The trends or expectations for this time in 2018 interiors is much the same – there seems to be a mix of riotous colour that has been tempered by the palette of nature that without fail we keep harking back to.

Everything we read is about “bringing nature inside” which is precisely what feels right, the further we move down the dehumanising technological track, the more we seem to crave the simple and magical properties of nature from colour to form. Leathers and furs still remain strong.

New Zealanders are natural globe trotters and this year its about bringing not just the nature, but the world into your home, there are no boundaries. If you review what has happened in fashion from colour to texture this year the interiors will and always do follow suit.

Moroccan jewel colours, royal blues mixed with soft blushes and faded pinks through to heavy Scotland knit, layering of luxe-like metallics with natural materials are all akin to what is happening globally. True to the current trend, it’s that inherent mix of strength and femininity that works and makes us feel comfortable and protected at the same time.

Furniture has a sway towards the glamour of the 1950’s curved lines and form set on finer leg and arm details with upholstery fabrics being crushed and textured within the weave. Velvet works beautifully for this look and not only does it add a touch of class but also warmth and depth to any interior.

Brass is still extremely relevant but its age and burnish. The sheen has been tarnished to add again, a feeling of naturalness to an element that has been used intrinsically for its sleek and gloss-like properties in the past. Again don’t be afraid to mix this with natural fibres to soften and integrate the use of metal into your space.

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.

We’ve been working with Leonie Barlow also known as The Style Insider over the last few months to help her transform her previous dining space into a lounge. She never used her previous space as a dining area so decided it needed a revamp. She opted for the Quickstep Majestic, Valley Oak Light Beige laminate.

We decided to do a little Q&A to find out how her experience went…

Why did you decide to renovate your dining space?

“We hardly ever used it for dining so I decided to create another lounge room instead”

Where did you source your inspiration from?

“Pinterest is the first place I look for all sorts of inspiration. I love a really clean, minimalist style and wanted to create a space that was cosy and inviting but still clean and modern looking.”

What made you decide to go with Carpet Court for your flooring?

“I’ve always gone to Carpet Court for my flooring over the years and I’ve never been disappointed which is why I always go back.”

Why did you decide to go with laminate as your flooring choice?

“Our previous flooring was also laminate and after 10 years, there wasn’t a mark on it. I love how the laminate doesn’t wear, scratch or fade and always looks amazing. The only thing that had changed was my taste and that’s why I wanted the lighter flooring.”

Was there any reason that you decided to go for lighter planks?

“I have wanted lighter planks for a few years because they suit my aesthetic which is very clean and minimal. The lighter planks also really help to make a smallish room appear much bigger which is exactly what I wanted to do with my room makeover”.

What was the installation process and how long did it take?

“Installation was surprisingly quick and easy. The first day involved uplifting the old flooring and applying a levelling compound to the wooden floor underneath to create a level surface for the new boards- this took about half a day. The second day the team was back to cut the boards to the correct lengths and lay them. So all up it took a day and a half”

What would your piece of advice to give to someone who is selecting new flooring?

“Definitely get expert advice on the right flooring for your space. You may want one thing but a different type of flooring may actually work better and last longer for your actual needs. My room is really sunny and natural wood flooring would have faded. Choosing laminate meant I would never get any fading from the sun. I wouldn’t have known this without getting some expert advice to steer me in the right direction”

Leonie has done a vlog talking through her room on her Youtube channel – The Style Insider. Check it out below.

You can also read more about her room makeover on her blog.

If you’re looking for flooring and would like some expert advice, pop into your local store and any of our friendly staff would love to help. Alternatively, you can request a free measure and quote.

You can also read more about her room makeover on her blog.

You may have noticed your local store is looking a bit different! We’re in the process of giving our stores a fresh new look.

Why?

We know that it can be an overwhelming process going into a flooring store, especially for the first time! So we really want to make the experience as simple as possible and remove some of the confusion.

We want to make the stores feel homely and create an environment where the customer is able to see the product on the floor and visualise it in their own home. All the new look stores have our most popular flooring as large samples on the floors so the customer can see it in a much larger piece than the standard sample size.

We have categorised our products within the store based on what the customer’s needs are. This helps the sales staff confidently show the right products to the customer allowing for a better customer experience.

We’ve currently completed 22 new look stores with the aim of completing the remaining stores by the end of next year. We have had a lot of positive feedback from customers who’ve experienced the new look store. If you haven’t done already, pop in and check one out for yourself!

Here are some of the colour trends that you can expect to see this summer. Take a look below to see if there’s one that suits you!

Resene Colours: Sakura, Gum Leaf, Clementine Orange & Point Break

Wanderlust

We all have moments, sitting behind our desk, dreaming of the next adventure or adventures past. Dream destinations may just be a plane ride away, but you can also live them every day by using that inspiration in your home. Colour makes your heart sing, just like the lively cultures we love to immerse ourselves in when we travel. Don’t be afraid to use bold saturated colours, and soften them with the likes of cool mints and powdery pinks. Get playful, don’t be afraid to use bold geometric patterns and colour blocking. Draw inspiration for your palette from artwork, get playful and create the ultimate happy space.

Resene Colours: Just Right, Organic, Rumor Has It. Flooring: Nature’s Oak Eiger

Happy Hygge

Cosiness, charm, happiness, ‘contentness’, security, familiarity, comfort, reassurance, kinship, and simpleness. It’s time to switch off the noise and drown out the negative vibes. Create space for compassion and kindness, truth and transparency. In doing so we find new joy in reviving long-held traditions and cultural influences igniting our sense of community and kinship. Celebratory cues from heritage and folklore, these earthy palettes ooz warmth and pair perfectly with calming neutrals to create a space of happiness and charm.

Resene Colours: West Coast, Innuendo, Aubergine, Rhino Wallpaper: Casamance Rive Droite from Westbury

Retrospect

The ultimate in sophistication. We’ve often stayed in the safe zone with lighter, fresher interiors; but it’s time to finally embrace those deep moody colours to add timeless elegance to our spaces. As much as we love the new and embrace modern style and technology; we’ll never be able to let go of our love of things past. Design icons will be cherished through the continued appreciation of their designs as we mix statement reproduction pieces with contemporary decor. A mash of the glamorous 70’s and a dash of the brazen 90’s this is an eclectic timeless look. Think a reunion part for the 20th century. Strong colours create a sense of intimacy; perfect for a formal lounge, social dining room or glamour bedroom. Add a touch of indulgence by incorporating luxurious textiles like velvet in opulent jewel tones mixed with precious metals accents. Keep things fresh by mixing classic furniture styles with more contemporary pieces.

Resene Colours: Mid Winter Mist, Half Mountain Mist, Bizarre, Toast Tile: Luna River Honed from European Ceramics

Elemental

Going back to basics, we all have a love of our creature comforts. It’s so easy for our modern lives to get over complicated, which this colour palette is
anything but. A growing desire to lead a more peaceful and authentic existence, has shifted focus back onto natural and re-purposed materials. Drawing inspiration from a from mother nature, this muted colour palette is
serene and nurturing. Add character to your elemental space by adding layers of differing textures. Imperfect finishes add warmth and comfort, think woven textiles with leathers and suedes, raw wood and metals on furniture. Bring some of nature inside with some indoor plant to really round it off.

The glory of green in all it’s shades of envy, delight and freshness has arrived. With it’s ability to look both insipid and deep, many do not understand the complex nature of this colour. Green complements so many of the colours we see around us, it supports and encourages other colours to perform.

This is a trend that needs depth and solidness to make it shine, carpets and wood need to have a sense of foundation to play, walnuts and chocolate browns, sooty greys and deep donkey taupes work extremely well. Remember a trend is just that it will pass; and for that very reason think of this current colour as an accent which you can change out, but your flooring and other foundation pieces will need to stay. Darker pieces of furniture are on the rise again – we will see plenty of richer and darker tones, mix this with the lighter more emerald style greens and the wood will glow.

If you are still in the mood for metal the colour of brass is hot on the heels of bronze and a perfect fit for greens of any shade. There is also the rise of terracotta, earthware is making a come back but keep it in a matt finish and as an accent to add warmth and depth to your environment. A great way to bring the outside in or create a different feel for your outdoor room, mix this with a tribal rug and some beautiful plants and your urban jungle begins.