To say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in the new year, we are sharing a few 2015 colour trends forecasts from our favourite colour experts. Whether you’re planning a whole home renovation or just looking for a few new accent throw pillows, these colour choices can help inspire your design choices this year. This is part one of a three part series with 2015 colour trends forecasts from Pantone, Benjamin Moore and Shaw Floors.

Pantone colour of the year: Marsala

The Pantone Colour Institute chooses their colour of the year based on a thorough examination of fashion trends, art, film, cars and general culture around the world. The selections over the past few years tended to be bold and best suited for accent colours in interiors (see 2014’s Radiant Orchid and 2013’s Emerald). While we may see Marsala popping up as a trendy colour for clothing and nail polish in 2015, we are less likely to see entire walls painted in this colour or an increased popularity in this hue of broadloom carpet.

Pantone describes the 2015 colour of the year Marsala as a “naturally robust and earthy wine red.”  This reddish-brown hue has an elegant and satisfying warmth that could work well in the colour palette of many interiors. We gathered a few examples of trendsetting homes where Marsala-like hues are already full-force.

Houzz: Ike Kilgerman Barkley Architecture

The Marsala paint colour used on the walls of this book-lined living room adds a touch of warmth. The contrasting white woodwork creates a clean look and keeps Marsala from looking too earthy.

 
Domaine Home

Marsala hues in this artwork create a dramatic and colourful focal point in this dining room.

Apartment Therapy: LA House Tour

Marsala looks best when used with textures like this shaggy rug. Try using the colour of the year for other textures like linens or leather.

For another dose Marsala inspiration, visit our Marsala Colour Trend pinboard.

View other posts in the 2015 Colour Trends Series

Part two: Shaw Floors River Thames Taupe
Part three: Benjamin Moore Guilford Green

Noise is often a contentious issue in multi-unit residences, as any condo dweller can attest to. When owners want to install hardwood or laminate flooring, strata bylaws often require the use of an underlay with acoustic properties to reduce to the sound transmission to the unit below. Here are a few commonly asked questions about the acoustic underlay required.

Which underlay should I buy to use in my building?
Each strata has different rules about the flooring and underlay allowed in their building. Some may require council approval of the materials before installation. Check with your strata before purchasing your flooring. If your strata requires approval before installation, your flooring provider can provide you with product specifications and documented test results to give to your strata council.

My strata requires an underlay with a certain STC and IIC rating. What does this mean?
These are sound-control ratings often used in building codes and strata guidelines. The higher the rating, the better the underlay is at sound reduction. Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings measure transmission of airborne sounds such as neighbours talking or playing music. Impact Isolation Class (IIC) measures impact sounds transferred from the floor to the unit below. Impact sounds are foot steps, objects falling on the floor etc. Manufacturers have their products tested in a lab according to ASTM International standards to determine the STC and IIC ratings.

Does an acoustic underlay reduce all noises for my neighbours below?
No. An acoustic underlay with good IIC and STC ratings will reduce noise transfer but will not eliminate all noise. The effectiveness of the underlay depends on your lifestyle and the construction of the building. If your lifestyle is noisier, your neighbours will be more likely to hear you. Active kids, walking in heavy shoes or high heels and dropping things may create noise that cannot be entirely quieted by any acoustic underlay.

The settings of the underlay lab tests may be different from the construction of the subfloor and ceiling of your building. Most underlay is tested on concrete slabs. IIC and STC ratings increase when the concrete slab thickness increases or when a drop or suspended ceiling is present in the unit below. Ask your flooring provider for testing results that specify the subfloor and ceiling assembly used during lab testing.

The ratings will be decreased for buildings with wood frames and plywood substrates since these materials are bad at preventing sound transference. If you do not have a concrete subfloor or acoustic concrete topping between floors, it’s highly recommended to look into additional sound barrier options. Your downstairs neighbours will thank you.

Is there anything else I can do reduce noise?

Adding a few area rugs to your decor will help reduce noise in areas where the rugs have been placed.

Can I do a nail down installation with acoustic underlay underneath?

No. The sound travels through the nails and negates the effectiveness of the underlay.

Is there a specific underlay you recommend?

We recommend using Shaw Silent Step Ultra. The 72 dB IIC and STC ratings satisfy most strata council requirements about flooring and acoustic underlay. Full testing data from a reputable third party lab is available upon request.

For more information we recommend reading:
Hardwood Floors – The Magazine of the National Wood Flooring Association. “The Lowdown on Wood Flooring Underlayments”
Master Floor Covering Standards Institute. “Noise Problems and Acoustical Barriers”

December marks the beginning of a holiday season calendar filled with work parties, drinks with friends and quality time with family. We have picked two wines to be your go-to’s during the busy holiday season. Our criteria for picking great holiday wines was that they had to be:

a) BC VQA wines to support our local businesses

b) Worthy of serving to friends and family over the holidays

c) Budget friendly to be a last minute gift for the party host

d) Delicious, of course.

Here are the two wines that checked our boxes. Our team tasted them last week during lunch at our annual sales planning meeting.

Grey Monk 2012 Latitude 50 Red

The name Latitude 50 is a nod to Grey Monk’s location in the Okanagan, where latitude 50 and Lake Okanagan meet. Grey Monk keeps us guessing which grapes were used in this stunning blend since the composition is not listed on the bottle or online. From our tasting, we think it’s a blend of gamay and pinot noir grapes. The medium-bodied Latitude 50 is a great table wine, the kind that goes well with a variety of different foods or even none at all. It beckons you with floral, spicy aromas and just a touch of herbal notes. The nose reflects the flavours of raspberry, pepper, spice and a light black cherry finish. This would be especially delicious with a holiday party pot roast or late-night pizza to celebrate the end of holiday gift shopping.

Backyard Vineyards 2013 Nosey Neighbour White

The name Backyard Vineyards is apt since they are located  in Vancouver’s metaphorical backyard at 30 Ave at 232 Street in Langley. The Nosey Neighbour blend is a best seller at the local wine store we purchased it at. From the first taste, it is clear why this wine sells so well. This blend of pinot gris, riseling and gewurztraminer is a pleasant and easy drinking crowd pleaser with just a hint of complexity. Bright citrus and herb aromas greets you before hitting the palette with a fruity blend of stone fruits, pineapple and mango. A refreshing and clean acidity follows you from first taste to the finish. This wine is not available at BC Liquor Stores but you can purchase it direct from the winery or at your local independent wine store. View the full list of stores that carry Backyard Vineyards.

Wood look tile floors are one of the newest trends in the flooring industry. We love the look of hardwood but it’s not always practical for wet or high traffic areas like tile is. Advancements in the tile manufacturing process allow manufacturers to create highly detailed and realistic wood look tiles. With the increased popularity in wood look tiles, there are now options to fit with every style. We have rounded up a few of our favourite wood look tiles to show off their versatility.

Grey Hues

Contrast modern decor with a vintage inspired wood look tile. This grey-toned wide plank is designed to look like aged wood barrels.

Ames Barrique Series colour Birch matte full body porcelain tile 10″x30″

Digital technology is used to produce a detailed pattern of weathering and knots on this replica of the rustic European Larch.

Olympia Tile Larix Series colour Shade porcelain tile 6″x30″

 

Natural raw-wood feel

The Scandinavian design trend is still going strong. Glossy, dark stained hardwood floors are being replaced with raw, natural looking woods. Tile manufacturers are jumping on the band wagon by creating simple wood look tiles inspired by the beauty of unstained wood.

Casa Roma National Parks Series colour Yellowstone. Available in random strips, 12″x24″ and 6″x24”

Keep the natural look from being too simple by installing the tiles in a herringbone pattern.

Olympia Tile Misingi Series. Available in 8″x32″ and 5.3″x32″

 

Feature Walls

Wood look tiles are perfect for creating unique feature walls and backsplashes. Create texture and a cozy feel with this multi-coloured distressed option from Ames Tile.

Ames Tile E&S Series Boardwalk 2″x18″

Be bold by installing wide plank wood look tile from the floor to the ceiling.

Ames Tile Barrique Series porcelain tile 10″x30″

 

Attention-getters

This wood look tile imitates the natural colour variation of a hickory hardwood floor. Installing the tiles in a herringbone pattern adds even more visual interest to this amazing floor.

C&S Tile Over Series colour Red Sand. Available in 8″x40″ and 4″x40″

Make your flooring the centre of attention with this highly variegated wood look tile inspired by reclaimed wood.

Olympia Tile Wow Series colour Winter porcelain tile 6″x36″

 

For even more wood-look tile options, take a look at our Pinterest.

Misconceptions about hardwood floor cleaning are rampant on the internet. There are many people on Pinterest and home advice forums claiming vinegar and water are best for cleaning your hardwood floors or steam mops have made their hardwood floors look beautiful again. While these methods may appear to work for now, they can cause damage over time. We want to clear up these misconceptions and give you the facts from the long-term perspectives of flooring experts.

Myth 1: Vinegar and water should be used to clean hardwood floors

Fact: No. Vinegar and water seems like a great natural and easy floor cleaner since most people already have these products in their kitchen. But the vinegar can actually dull or damage your hardwood floor.  Instead use a product recommended by your manufacturer. Links to the hardwood care and maintenance sites for some common hardwood manufacturers can be found at the end of the post.

 

Myth 2: Damp mopping is the best way to clean wood floors

Fact: No. Water and wood do not mix. That soaking wet mop is putting too much water on the floors. Wet mopping can void your warranty and causes warping, de-lamination and joint-line separation. To prevent these problems, use a spray like the Bona hardwood floor cleaner spray to lightly mist the floor and then use a dry mop.

 

Myth 3: Steam cleaners can be used on my hardwood floors

Fact: No. The mantra “wood and water do not mix” holds true here too. We have all seen the hawkers at home shows and infomercials on TV claiming that steam cleaners are great for sanitizing and cleaning your wood floors. But many hardwood flooring manufacturers list steam cleaners as a don’t in their hardwood cleaning advice and will void the warranty if you use a steam cleaner. Repeatedly using a steam cleaner can result in peeling, whitening or cloudy finish. If you want to keep your manufacturers warranty and a pristine finish on your floor, keep that steam cleaner away from your hardwood floors.

 

Myth 4: Vacuums with a beater bar can be used for hardwood floor cleaning

Fact: No. Vacuuming is recommended by most hardwood floor manufacturers – WITHOUT a beater bar. The rough bristles of the beater bar can permanently scratch your floor. Get a hardwood floor attachment to make your vacuum safer for to use on your hardwood.

 

Myth 5: I can use any cleaner on my floor including ammonia or oil-based cleaners.

Fact: No. Ammonia is a basic cleaner with a PH of 11 and can ruin the colour of your floor. Oil-based cleaners can leave a milky-residue on the hardwood. Stick with manufacturer approved cleaners to avoid any these ingredients.

 

Hardwood Care and Maintenance Info from the Manufacturers

The best way to keep your floors looking good and under warranty is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. All of our customers receive a copy of care and maintenance info in the mail after their job is completed.

Links to a few common manufacturers are below. If you don’t know the manufacturer of your floors, feel free to call us or use the National Wood Flooring Association’s advice.

National Wood Flooring Association Common Maintenance Questions

Shaw Floors Hardwood Flooring Care

Beaulieu Canada Hardwood Care & Maintenance

Armstrong Hardwood Care