Coverings, Orlando, April 5th--In the foreseeable future floor tiles will include sharper colors that make more of a personal statement, according to tile industry expert Patti Fasan, who spoke about new trends at Coverings 2006.
Fasan cited the acknowledged truism that women choose home décor, and said floor tiles are no exception. Fasan said that research still suggests that men are more or less an ignorable sounding board when it comes to how the home will be decorated.
For older Americans, pigeon-holed for life as 'boomers,' stronger, more assertive colors are likely to emerge, Fasan told her Coverings audience. As children and pets ever-so-slowly leave home, pragmatic beige will give way to colors that say more, such as earthy siennas and greens suggestive of a desire for a healthier, more natural environment.
Younger couples, again with the man in an esthetic coma, are more likely to go for bright colors, including some fairly shocking pinks and lipstick shades. Fasan says younger women are--somewhat mysteriously--attracted to 'Barbie colors.' This group's optimism and playfulness will be expressed in candy colors as well as with sallies into the retro look.
Neutral colors won't disappear, but look for them to drift toward skin tones, Fasan says. The range of these neutrals will, however, be considerable, from roseate glow to deep cocoa.
The yearning for personal serenity will appear as pastels and water shades. A streak of business in a home-office may be expressed as steely gray, faux stone and perhaps a flash of the emerging metallic look, Fasan said.
