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Walking Through History: A Deep Dive into the Evolution of Flooring

June 28, 2023 By Broadlume Leave a Comment

Mosaic tile floor in ancient Romain villa of Villasse Roman ruins, Vaison la Romaine, France

From the earliest times, flooring has been a vital component of human living spaces. It has served as more than just the foundation of our dwellings; it has been a canvas of art, a reflection of cultural sophistication, and a testimony to technological advancement. In this blog post, we journey through time, exploring the fascinating evolution of flooring – from the dirt floors of ancient civilizations to the high-tech smart floors of today.

Dirt and Stone: The Dawn of Flooring (Prehistoric Era to 3000 BC)

In the humble beginnings of human civilization, our ancestors primarily used dirt as the main flooring material. It was readily available and required minimal effort to flatten for use. However, as humanity evolved, so did their needs and techniques. Archaeological studies suggest the earliest use of stone flooring can be traced back to the Neolithic period. Particularly, in the Orkney Islands off Scotland, the inhabitants of Skara Brae used flat stones to create flooring and the walls of their homes.

Mosaics and Marble: The Classical Era (3000 BC to 500 AD)

The Bronze Age and Iron Age brought about advancements in architectural techniques. The Greeks and Romans, renowned for their architectural prowess, introduced mosaics – beautiful and intricate designs made from small pieces of colored stone or glass. These ornate floorings were a sign of wealth and status.

Simultaneously, marble started to gain popularity, especially among the Romans. The Pantheon’s marble floor, with its alternating patterns of circles and squares, is a classic example of its timeless appeal.

Tiles and Parquetry: The Middle Ages to Early Modern Period (500 AD to 1800 AD)

As we move into the Middle Ages, tile flooring became more prevalent. Ceramic tiles were common in the Mediterranean region, while the Dutch and English often used baked clay tiles.

By the Renaissance and through the Baroque period, parquet flooring started to come into play. Versailles’s Hall of Mirrors, with its geometric patterns of wooden tiles, showcases this technique’s elegance and sophistication.

Carpeting and Linoleum: The Industrial Revolution (1800 AD to 1900 AD)

The Industrial Revolution brought sweeping changes in flooring options. Mechanized looms allowed for the mass production of carpets, making them more accessible to middle-class households. Oriental rugs were particularly popular in Victorian homes, where they were seen as symbols of luxury and refinement.

The late 19th century also saw the invention of linoleum by Frederick Walton. This durable and easy-to-clean material quickly became a popular choice for both residential and commercial applications.

Hardwood and Vinyl: The 20th Century

The 20th century introduced a variety of flooring materials, but the two that stood out were hardwood and vinyl. Hardwood flooring, long adored for its natural beauty and durability, became increasingly popular due to improved milling techniques and the trend towards open, airy interiors.

Simultaneously, vinyl flooring, first introduced in the 1930s, found its way into homes post-World War II, thanks to its affordability, resilience, and wide range of designs.

Smart and Sustainable: The 21st Century

As we step into the 21st century, the flooring industry is embracing both technology and sustainability. Technological advancements have led to the development of smart floors, capable of everything from generating electricity to monitoring health.

Sustainability is also playing a significant role. Eco-friendly materials like bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood are becoming more popular. Additionally, efforts are being made to improve the sustainability of traditional materials, such as carpet recycling programs and sustainably-sourced hardwood.

From dirt and stone to smart and sustainable, the history of flooring is a captivating testament to human ingenuity and adaptability. As we continue to innovate, the future of flooring looks bright, promising a synthesis of form, function, and environmental stewardship.

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Filed Under: News

Capturing the Perfect Pictures of Your Home

February 6, 2020 By Broadlume Leave a Comment

From uploading photos to help sell your space or just sharing pictures of your latest home improvement project over the internet, there are hundreds of reasons you may want to capture pictures of your home. Residential photography may not be professional photography; however, mastering some pro tips can help take your photos to the next level. Since a picture can say a thousand words, taking a poor picture can give a negative impression on a truly beautiful project or home. To help, here is everything you need to consider when photographing your home:

Lighting

Lighting has a very dramatic effect on the quality of your pictures. It is essential to have a well-lit room whenever taking your pictures. Make sure all your light fixtures are turned on while also allowing natural outdoor lighting to have an effect on the photos. You do not want one or the other to overpower one another, so you may need to find the perfect time of the day. Some photographers will refer to this time as the Golden Hour. This time is when the sun is just rising or just setting. Also, you should make sure to take outdoor photos during this time as well.

Composition

The composition of the photograph is what you initially capture. Try capturing the main focal point of the room directly in the center of the shot. Accenting architecture and decor can allow our eyes to wander and explore the picture. However, the demand for attention should be directly in the center of each picture!

Angles

Lights may create a glare. Taking a photograph at “eye-level” is rarely the best angle to capture a picture. Angles can portray a room to be much smaller or much larger. Make sure you are capturing your photographs at the most optimal angels. This could be from an elevated corner of the room or from outside a doorway. Mastering angles on your photography is one of the most effective ways to dramatically change a shot.

Try to adopt some of these techniques in your own photography. They can help make your photographs more than just social media worthy, but truly awe-inspiring. Just remember when posting that your photographs should truly capture the beauty of your estate.

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Filed Under: Featured, Hints & Tips Tagged With: capturing photos, photo, photographs, photos

Top Flooring Trends for 2020

January 22, 2020 By Broadlume 1 Comment

With the new year, new trends are making their way into the market. Throughout time, many flooring trends come and go. We have seen plenty of them in the last decade as technological advancements in flooring have changed the market. Since buying flooring is not something that you do every year, it is easy to get outdated information on what are the latest trends in the industry. Lucky for you, we are here to help keep your head in the game. Here are some of the most trending floors as we make our way into 2020:

Waterproof Flooring

Flooring advancements in technology have really answered the demand for waterproof flooring. Many different flooring options come with their own sets of pros and cons; however, a considerable drawback for many flooring options is not being able to withstand wet environments. That being said, we are seeing flooring like vinyl planks, carpet, and even laminate coming in waterproof options, such as Mohawk’s RevWood. This feature can allow you a significant variance of flooring selections in your home in 2020.

High Variation Hardwood

A newer trend in the flooring industry is a high variation of colors and sizes in planks in hardwood. Hardwood is already desirable for its wide variety in character. Now, homeowners and businesses are allowing the most durable wood flooring to be even more expressive with high variations of colors and sized planks being mixed together in a single room installation.

Greige Flooring

We saw grey rule the market for some time over the last decade. It came in as the neutral color choice that pushed out beige tones as the highest demand choice. However, now we are witnessing an exciting turn in tides. Greige is the mixed color of grey and beige together. It is becoming quite popular in the flooring industry, showing both interest in the colors beige and grey.

Encaustic Cement Tile

Encaustic tiles are typical handmade tiles with colorful patterns on designs. They are becoming very trending in bathrooms and kitchens lately. These designs can be incredibly unique and help create a stunning design pattern in any home.

These are just a few of the great flooring trends that we see staying around for some time. What are some flooring trends that interest you? Let us know your thoughts below in the comment section!

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Filed Under: Design & Decorating, Featured, Inspiration Tagged With: 2020, encaustic tiles, flooring, flooring choices, flooring trends, floors, greige flooring, high variation hardwood, trends, trends of 2020, waterproof flooring

Pros and Cons of Carpet

December 31, 2019 By Broadlume Leave a Comment

Carpet is a timeless flooring option that businesses and homeowners continue to love. It comes in many diverse styles with added benefits. That is why it is no surprise that the popularity continues today as we see advancements in fiber technology and resistance to staining. However, like any flooring option, carpet has its own set of pros and cons. Let us explore both to see if carpet is right for your home.

PROS

Comfort

Carpet is one of the most comfortable flooring options on the market. When paired with a heavy 8 oz pad, it is unrivaled by any flooring option for comfort. This feature can make the coziness from your ground spread to other areas of the room, creating a comfortable oasis.

Options

Carpet also comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures. The endless options make finding the perfect carpet to complement your house easy. Plus, with so many diverse styles, carpet is versatile enough to work with any design theme.

Warmth

Carpet is also a very cozy and warm flooring option. Rest assured that you can wake up and walk around your home barefoot without getting cold feet. It is an excellent insulator and stays warm all year round.

CONS

Stains

Technology improvements are making carpets better at being stain resistant. From solution-dyed fibers to stain guards, carpets have come a very long way. However, carpet fibers can still stain. This feature may be a concern depending on the environment that you are looking to have it installed.

Seams

Carpet is typically manufactured in twelve-foot-wide rolls. This feature means any room that is over twelve feet in width or length is going to need a seam. It is also directional, which means your carpet will have cross seams as well. No seam is 100% invisible, so you may need to consider this depending on the application.

Traffic Patterns

Some carpet can wear down and matte. The resilience is much better in nylon carpet than polyester, yet you may begin to see traffic patterns. Note that all carpets are made different, and some can help prevent this better than others.

Water

We are beginning to see waterproof carpets, just starting to enter the market. However, many carpets are not waterproof and can be ideal for bacteria to form. It is best to keep carpet away from wet areas.

All and all, carpet is an excellent flooring choice. It is incredibly versatile and adaptable for many environments. Keep in mind that different qualities of carpets can handle situations differently. Be sure to talk to your sales representative about the right carpet for your lifestyle.

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Filed Under: Carpet, Featured Tagged With: Carpet, carpet styles, flooring, floors

Color of the Year 2020: Classic Blue

December 27, 2019 By Broadlume Leave a Comment

Did you know that every year the color authorities announce a new color of the year? In fact, this color is selected by a team of color experts at Pantone Color. They research and explore what color seems to be most influential and significant in the world at that given time, and the color is selected in December for the following year. This color is then used by businesses throughout the next year in design and marketing.

Classic Blue

The year 2020 will kick off with the new color Classic Blue. This classic color is construed of the deep and passive shade of blue with undertones of indigo to help create more serenity. Classic Blue is a very stable and reliable color. This traditional color was chosen to allow your mind to wander. In fact, Laurie Pressman, Vice President of Pantone Color, says, “what’s the future going to bring as we move into the evening hours?” is the thought this color can help provoke. The team at Pantone Color believes that Classic Blue is more than just visually stimulating but also helps to awaken all your senses.

Who Decides the Color of The Year

In 1999, Pantone Color became the global authority on color. Each year in December, they select a color that seems very influential in the world. They look at different aspects of life and carefully choose the color they see most meaningful at the current time.

Where You May See This Color

Every year these colors make history by being used by many major companies. Many large and small companies can use this trending color to help promote themselves. If you are looking to keep your home or business up-to-date, consider giving some homage to Classic Blue. You may notice it being used in apps, phone colors, paint themes, clothing, and other materials more frequently.

In 2020, be sure to keep your eyes out for Classic Blue, and see if you notice it in marketing, design, fashion, or other aspects of life. You will be surprised how common this color becomes in the following year.

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Filed Under: Color of The Year, Design & Decorating, Featured Tagged With: color, color inspiration, color of the year, pantone

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