Although NeoCon 2017 is now behind us, so much of the visual stimuli stays with us for months. One thing I like to do every year before day-to-day responsibilities take over is to capture key trends that span all the tremendous showrooms, products and conversations. Here are five takeaways from the world’s leading commercial design trade show in Chicago: Workplace connectivity is key. While...
When you think of creating the right atmosphere for a retail environment, do you think about the importance of the right floor? Flooring is one of the largest continuously visible surfaces in any retail store, and it can convey a lot about the brand, the merchandise and the overall shopping experience. Light colors as the background for your merchandise enhances what you’re selling....
NeoCon is upon us—and so are our latest flooring solutions. The industry’s biggest commercial design show seems to sneak up on us faster and faster every year. Another fabulous NeoCon is now approaching, again presenting an exciting and engaging opportunity to showcase our latest floorcoverings, ideas and inspirations, June 12-14, 2017. If you are attending the show in Chicago, be sure to stop by space 377...
Mohawk Group participated in the 2017 Living Future UnConference in Seattle, an annual convention organized by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). The week was a truly meaningful and memorable sustainability immersion experience with a diverse group of sustainability leaders from across the industry. The Living Future UnConference is a humbling experience as a platform for sharing stimulating ideas that are worthy of consideration...
We sat down with Jim Halloran of HOK Dallas to get his take on the future of the design industry. Our Design Discussions series continues with designers who attended FWD, a place where we explore cultural trends and design influencers in an inspirational setting. We love to keep the conversations going, sharing design aspirations and what personally inspires these visionaries. What inspires you personally and professionally? Several things influence...
The one thing that cannot be said about 2017, so far, is that it has been a boring year in terms of new design styles, social activism or fashion. In fact, when I look at the landscape of where we are today versus just a few months ago, I think the best way I can describe the directional change is a blending of dichotomies....
Mohawk Group congratulates Mac Stopa, founder of the Polish firm Massive Design, on his 2017 Titan Award from the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). The Titan Award is given to design leaders who make significant contributions to the interior design industry. Stopa is a multi-disciplinary designer, working in commercial interiors, product design and fashion. His clients include Google, BMW, Samsung, DuPont and Mohawk Group,...
For the first LEED Platinum certified hotel in the United States, sustainability is a guiding tenet in every way that hospitality is extended to green-minded guests. That’s why it was important for the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C., to make responsible decisions with the waste that was created from a recent renovation. In addition to specifying beautiful custom multi-level cut and loop carpeting from...
Peri Peng of CallisonRTKL Chats With Us About the Mixing of Nature + City Life and Her Terrarium Creations We continue our Design Discussions with designers who attended FWD, a place where we explore cultural trends and design influencers in an inspirational setting. Between design lectures, trend forecasting sessions and art excursions, attendees are immersed in inspiration and creativity. Our Design Discussions keep the conversations going,...
Vickie Alani of CBT Architects Talks to Us About Art + Nature, How Her Perspective Is Challenged and Broadened, and What’s Next For Design We continue our Design Discussions with designers who attended FWD, a place where we explore cultural trends and design influencers in an inspirational setting. Between design lectures, trend forecasting sessions and art excursions, attendees are immersed in inspiration and creativity. Our...
Flooring to Inspire Learning: The Mixology Collection Who better to create the next flooring design for the education market than talented, artistic students? And, what better medium to inspire patterns than scratch art? We combined both concepts in our SCRATCH ART Design Contest, which solicited help from K-12 students across the country to create the next design in our Mixology Collection. A panel of seasoned carpet designers...
We are living in a time of great uncertainly, where the limits of earth and the solar system are being tested by both nature and man. Man’s quest for new frontiers beyond our farms, suburbs, and cities is driving a new push into uncharted territory. Shifting planes of light and swirling forms connect us to the heavens. A new visual language has emerged, influenced...
Get to know George Bandy, Mohawk Group’s Vice President Sustainability “Sustainability is a journey not a destination; Living every day with humility and dignity; grateful for meaningful work and loving friends and family.” Living Building Challenge, LEED or WELL Building Standard? All three! Indoors or outdoors? Outdoors Socks or no socks? Socks Hair or no hair? Follicular challenged 😂 R&B or Hip Hop Music? R&B...
Moving Floors Exemplifies a Transformative Atmosphere for the New Microsoft Executive Lounge in Vienna, Created by INNOCAD Because of the transdisciplinary infrastructure at INNOCAD, an architecture firm based in Austria, the team manages numerous international architecture and interiors projects, which include residential, office, hospitality, healthcare, mixed-use, retail and interior design. One of the team’s signature office projects is the 2011 conversion and redevelopment of...
John Cantu of Gensler Atlanta Talks the Future of Design, Mediums That Inspire Him, and Why He’s Loving the Open Office Concept Each October, Mohawk Group hosts leading interior designers and architects from around the country at our FWD conference. For three days, we explore cultural trends and design influencers in an inspirational setting. Between design lectures, trend forecasting sessions and art excursions, attendees...
There isn’t much not to love about this Courtyard by Marriott project. Its design is crisp, sophisticated and comfortable. Located in Brookline, Mass., this hotel features a floor that is a textured and custom-color rendition of Durkan’s Modesto collection. Modesto is made using our state-of-the-art Definity...
Pantone recently announced their 2017 Color of the Year: 15-0343, otherwise known as Greenery. A welcome color of optimism in our chaotic times, this color is certainly symbolic of spring and new beginnings. While many shades of green are popular today, this hue is a yellow-based green taken straight from nature. According to Pantone’s website: “Greenery is nature’s neutral. The more submerged people are...
Mohawk Group recently had the opportunity to take part in a very special project through Atlanta-based non-profit, Sunshine on a Ranney Day. The organization, which functions as a licensed general contractor, renovates spaces for children with long-term illnesses and/or special needs to help brighten and enhance environments for them, their families and caregivers. The heartwarming project involved the renovation of the family sleep center...
We asked Royce Epstein, our Director of the Design Segment, for her current list of top art and design books. Whether you love to read, your coffee table needs some visual interest, or you are looking to gift some inspiration, the perfect book is out there! Know of a book that highlights design and a designer or architect might love? Leave it in the comments...
Each year, Interior Design magazine recognizes the best in contract interiors for products and projects through its Best of Year Awards. We are honored to be recognized alongside our industry peers, and, there is no better way to celebrate these awards than in New York City. This year, the Best of Year Awards included 2,016 entries from 38 different countries in 130 product and project...
You may or may not have heard about our Light Lab Design Center — the building that is now home to our commercial and hospitality product design teams within the Mohawk organization. Located in Dalton, GA, the 33,000 square foot Light Lab is a mid-century modern building that features 360 degree views of landscape and natural vistas. And—it is a beacon of sustainability. We hope you have...
The past, present, and future present have converged in this post post-modern era. Historical references have lost their meaning and we have removed all sense of timelines and context. A new society has evolved, one that is cross cultural, nomadic, and more accepting and tolerant of differences in race, age, and gender. We are moving towards a more universal, unbiased world where borders no...
We are facing times of dynamic change that influence the way we live our lives. Therefore we seek grounding and connection. The balance between rational and emotional design results in an increase of the user’s consciousness, perception, and consumption. Relevant design provides sensory experiences that connect essence and process in one holistic context. Not only do spaces and objects hold meaning, their significance transcends...
In this era of nonstop mass production, we are simultaneously seeing the prominence of technology and a return to craft and the handmade. These approaches to making products have converged, and we are rethinking how things are made. We are questioning and seeking authenticity in the process. We are finding ways of humanizing technology. New forms are being created with the rise of 3D printing and manipulation...
In my latest installment for Mohawk’s blog, I thought I would tackle two trends: first, a resurgence of historical styles with a Mod twist, and second, a rekindling of texture that borders on creating a mélange that any Gestalt fanatic would love to analyze. Like a pendulum, the design world and history like to swing from one extreme to the next, picking up bits and...
Royce Epstein, Mohawk Group’s Director of Design Segment, continues to share her story and journey with our community. In August of 2014, at the age of 45, Royce was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, she gives a behind-the-scenes look into her everyday fight. Her insight and outlook are an inspiration. This is part 2 of...
TRACES. Inspired by infinite and intricate formations, Traces explores the deconstruction and transformation of the earth’s innate variations. Showcasing beautiful biomorphic and organic abstractions, each design explores the intersections of light and shadow through fractal patterning and delicate layers. Taking cues from sedimentary rock forms and arid lands, the palette consists of soft sumptuous shades of beige complemented with decadent browns and cool greys. With harmonious...
It’s the end of the summer, time to go back to school, and refocus our energies on new plans and projects. With the close of one season, we begin another – hence the circle of life. Circles have been a motif in architecture, design and art throughout civilization. Euclid recognized the circle as an essential element in geometry. In the modern era, design thinkers...
This article was originally written by Royce Epstein for Trend Union’s “Talking Textiles” Magalog for New York Textile Month, which begins September 1st. Trend Union’s magalog is filled with essays and articles about textiles in fashion, interiors, design, and art, and was conceived by Li Edelkoort. The magalog includes an introduction by Li Edelkoort and a foreword by Caroline Baumann, director of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design...
In this edition of Segment Studio… Why do we love this FedEx corporate headquarters project? It’s simple. Sophisticated textures and a bright color palette against a crisp neutral backdrop create a fresh corporate headquarters for FedEx in Plano, Texas. Designed by HOK, the team used Amused Tile and Entralled Tile from our State of Mind Collection in combination with Reawakened Tile from our...
Simple observations and a bit of curiosity–that is how I have been working as a designer for the past 12 years. OK, it might be more than just a bit of curiosity as I seem to have a never-ending list of questions in my head as to why things are done or how they are put together. In my design history, I have worked...
New Commercial LVT Flooring Styles Unveiled At NeoCon we previewed new styles in both our carpet and our commercial LVT flooring solutions. With hard surface in popular demand for today’s environments, we introduced a number of coordinating LVT flooring and carpet collections. Grown Up, part of our award-winning Hot & Heavy collection, is a sophisticated loose-lay luxury vinyl tile. European hardwood visuals receive emboss in register to match...
Recently, I read an article from Lisa P. Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, on the company’s sustainability portfolio. Apple has partnered with the Conservation Fund and purchased over 36,000 acres of forests in the Eastern U.S.—more than 32,000 of which is in Maine. It makes you think why is Apple, a technology company already doing great sales worldwide, buying...
Here’s why Durkan’s Lakir blew away the decision-makers at Sailfish: It combined organic beauty and sophisticated styling in a durable package that could be custom colored. Plus, it was made in the USA, which facilitated delivery, and it was a sustainable choice—being CRI Green Label Plus certified and crafted of 25% pre-consumer recycled content. The luxurious patterns in Lakir are created with Durkan’s exclusive Definity...
Meet Homegrown, the latest woven broadloom from our Karastan luxury line. Homegrown is a stately flooring solution that offers the design community classic craftsmanship in high-end visuals. The artisanal woven construction creates a highly textured, luxurious carpet and seven neutral colorways enhance its sophistication and elegance. Homegrown epitomizes our Karastan line, reliving its timeless, sophisticated legacy. Merging classic construction with today’s desire for extreme texture, it provides a sensory...
WELL Building—the name itself is very intriguing and makes you want to take notice. This is exactly what is happening in the industry, where along with environmental impact, health and wellness has taken equal importance. You might wonder what relation do health and buildings have—health is more related to the food you eat and exercise you do. But the built environment can and does...
The Color and Design Vision is where we at Mohawk Group share our vision for the coming 18 months, forecasting what we believe are the leading concepts that fuel our current product development and inspire our customers with relevant, meaningful color and design insight. We explore cultural themes and trends affecting design today. We look what is happening in the world from this cultural context, studying social trends, demographics, and the...
With a focus on creativity and collaborative design, we are extremely excited about our highly anticipated Mohawk Group Light Lab Design Center. Commercial Design, Hospitality Design, Product Development, Special Order Contract, Simulation and Hospitality Preorder teams, which includes almost 80 people, are now moved into the space. Our Light Lab, designed in collaboration with SCAD, is an environment that not only brings together all of...
Martin Lesjak explains the design concept for our NeoCon 2016 showroom as “a vision of transformative atmosphere, providing a multifunctional and flexible open space.” Customers will experience this transformation in suite 377 during our industry’s largest 3-day event. NeoCon 2016 at Mohawk Group will be taking flooring to a new level of design versatility. Our NeoCon showroom has gone from Floors That Move You to...
Are you heading to New York City for NYCxDesign? Fear not, we have your guide of the must-see things to do while you are here for design week. Your guide is Royce Epstein, our Director of Design Segment, who lives in NYC and has recommendations for what to see and do, where to eat, and where to shop. Let’s begin! WHAT TO SEE AND...