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TREND WATCH Cork flooring is all the rage |
(NC)—Cork is warm, soft, natural and comfortable under foot — and it's all the rage with designers these days. Traditionally used in commercial and public areas for decades to reduce noise and insulate against both heat and cold, cork is also perfect for the home. With a wide selection of patterns, colours and finishes, cork flooring has fast become a designer favourite.
Designer Karl Lohnes, style editor for Style at Home magazine, is a fan of cork flooring. Selecting a contrasting checkerboard cork tile for his kitchen, Lohnes said, "It was a small room, and there was already a lot of wood in it so I didn't want more wood. Cork was the perfect option." Lohnes says what he likes most about cork flooring is "the versatility of how it can look from room to room."
Today's cork flooring works with any décor and is perfect for any room. Dark natural tones enhance more formal settings, such as dining and living rooms. Lighter shades are great for the more casual look of a family room or play area.
The latest in cork is bevelled edge flooring. Each plank features a v-groove along all the edges to define each plank. In addition, bevelled cork also looks and feels like timeworn leather. We found the most complete range of premium cork flooring available through TORLYS, a Canadian flooring company (www.torlys.com).
Cork is environmentally friendly. It is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree, grown primarily in Portugal. The tree bark is harvested every nine years from mature trees, and they can thrive for up to 200 years. Durable, easy-care, and naturally hypoallergenic, cork is one of the most beautiful and sensuous flooring materials on the market. Check out cork — it's natural, environmentally friendly and comfortable underfoot, and it could be the right solution for you.
Credit: www.newscanada.com |