Article Number : 4409 |
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| Date | 4/22/2009 8:59:46 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4409 |
| Abstract | By Matthew Spieler SHANGHAI, CHINA—An international cast of designers, architects, educators and press gathered here last month to take part in the first Global Flooring Trends Press Conference. The event was held during the 2009 China (Shanghai) International Building & Interior Design Festival, which featured... |
| Article | By Matthew Spieler SHANGHAI, CHINA—An international cast of designers, architects, educators and press gathered here last month to take part in the first Global Flooring Trends Press Conference. The event was held during the 2009 China (Shanghai) International Building & Interior Design Festival, which featured a number of concurrent running shows built around the theme of residential building and interior design. Jointly organized by China Wood International (CWI) and its International Wood Industry magazine, and co-sponsored by China’s two leading wood flooring companies, Elegant Living and Power Dekor, the symposium served as the culmination of a 6-month research project on global flooring trends, specifically within the wood segment. Hongfan Li, CWI’s president and chief editor, noted that flooring will not only continue to be influenced by the overall home decor but likewise will become an important reference point in defining the trends of home decoration. Lai Zeng-Xiang, professor and senior architect for the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University in Shanghai, said around the world wood flooring has become an “important platform and element in interior design.” One of the key reasons for this, he noted, includes wood offering “lots of flexibility to work with. It’s friendly, artistic and helps improve the quality of life.” Toby Song, general manager of marketing and strategy for co-host Power Dekor, pointed out how “wood has transformed from a mere construction material to a fashionable item that is desired all over the world.” Michael Liu, president of Elegant Living, took it one step further, stressing that the floor is not only fashionable but an “important element in interior design.” Because of the worldwide economic recession, people will be devoting more energy to their existing homes, he said. “So it is more important than ever to pay attention to product development and have the product fit into the customer’s lifestyle.” Meggie Huang, director of Power Dekor’s overseas business unit, added that the trends witnessed in the U.S. have impact on a global scale. Noting that the Chinese consumer is very savvy, “What happens in the U.S., especially when it comes to design, has influence here.” Liu agreed consumers in this part of the world have been very brand conscious, but so far only when it comes to clothing. “They have been wearing the name to show off.” But, as the average income level continues to rise throughout Asia, he added, “Now is the time to switch their attention to their homes.” The intensive study on the trend of global home decoration looked at everything from advanced foreign design and application concepts to the trend of garments and colors. The firm also conducted extensive consultations with “authoritative organizations from home and abroad and industrial experts, as well as research and analysis” to come up with some worldwide-defining trends in home décor. Three umbrella themes were unveiled as defined by CWI research for which consumers around the world share a desire when it comes to interior design and wood flooring: Nature, Rustic & Distressed, Low-profile Luxury. From these, one overriding trend was pointed out: Mix & Match. (Editor’s note: Due to the scope of the CWI event, FCNews will take an in-depth look at each of the global fashion trends unveiled as well as their particular meaning in an upcoming issue.) FCNews offers views The upbeat event, which attracted more than 130 media from China and abroad, mixed a series of short lectures and video clips by some of the world’s most respected experts on interior design with movie-quality films and product introductions by the co-sponsors highlighting the results of this research project. Part of the approach of the event was to have speakers who represented different parts of the globe to help illustrate some of the common trends the world shares and tie together the results of CWI’s research. As part of the cast, Matthew Spieler, senior executive editor of Floor Covering News, presented the major U.S. trends with respect to wood flooring. |