When flooring becomes art
A good piece of design speaks to us and appeals with both a visual and emotional connection, teaching us something new or provoking us to question ‘known’ truths.
The pioneering neo-plasticism art movement of the 1920s and 30s took the patterns of nature and distilled these into their simplest forms, inviting us to experience and interpret each piece in our own unique way rather than as convention intends.
The recognisable abstract works of the movement founder Piet Mondrian, for example, used just horizontal and vertical lines with primary colours to express how individual elements are fundamentally and inextricably connected and to explore how we emotionally respond to the natural world.
Similarly in the 1960s world of fashion, designers such as Mary Quant and Yves Saint Laurent were inspired by Mondrian to use vivid colour blocking and striking geometric patterns to great effect. In each generation, these innovative non-conformist designs accompanied momentous social change, suggesting and shaping exciting alternative futures and a new sense of purpose and belonging.
In the same way, an imaginatively designed abstract floor can intrigue and challenge our connection with a space. Linking the floor to the interior, whether subtlety by repeating colours on walls or furnishing or more explicitly with geometric patterns that create a juxtaposition with architectural features, will result in an overall edgier look that is highly on-trend and relevant as society adapts to a rapidly changing environment.
Taking these concepts of abstract design to a new level, our Opus capsule collection offers endless possibilities to design floors that create visual movement with areas of pattern in perfect symmetry, offset shapes to present a disjointed uniformity or compose non-directional geometric forms.
Complementary designs can be combined in a checkerboard or other symmetrical repeating pattern to allow the eye to flow across an open space, or the symmetry offset for a pleasing effect that can, for example, serve to guide wayfinding. Alternatively, multi-surface colour drenching or blending contrasting colours in attention grabbing irregular geometric patterns will make a bold statement and stop visitors in their tracks.
With 24 new colourways in a range of tones, textures and sizes inspired by traditional trends from the Italian Renaissance, including natural stone, textiles and man-made materials, the new collection features organic pigments with a textile base, terrazzo from the Adriatic coast and stucco reimagined for the 21st Century as well as distinctive stencilled and abstract visuals on natural stone bases and timeless poured and speckled concretes.
Compatible with modern, art deco or minimalist interiors, the new collection has been designed to offer freedom of expression and endless options to create iconic bespoke floors that are intriguing and impactful.