I had the opportunity to visit a small local store here in downtown Lubbock, Texas named Leftwich Chapman Flooring, owned and operated by two partners Mr. Leftwich and Mrs. Chapman. These two have worked together for the majority of their adult careers and are now paired up together in running a successful flooring showroom. The showroom, organized by material, offered a seemingly endless supply, of hardwood floor, carpet, and tile varieties. With this introductory information the tour commenced.
The tour began in a corner that offered both artificial and natural light with a floor that showcased at least six or seven hardwood floor options. While standing in this section of the store, we were shown and educated in the multiple floors that were on display. Leftwich Chapman Flooring makes approximately seventy percent of its net profit from the sale of hardwood floors. This large percentage could be based on the variety they offer. We were shown authentic natural wood floors; some hand-scraped, cross scraped, heat warped, and or buffered smooth. We saw some floors that while the base was still original hardwood, they were innovated with a more unique top appliqués, such as finished leather or even a bamboo floor. We learned that the industry of wood flooring has shifted from an average solid plank of wood being nailed to the hard floor, to the thinning and cross layering of wood, to allow for easier glue application and better durability. Leftwich also went into the basis of pricing, he compared his selection to franchises such as Home Depot, explaining that while they are cheaper usually the under layers of wood are not the strong oak or hickory but rather an imported chit wood or other softer wood making them much more susceptible to damage. He also went into to describe how the cost of his hardwood could vary from twenty dollars a square yard to more than eighty a square yard. He explained that one also had to take into account the cost of installation, which could change depending on what was previously in the space, if that needs to be removed, so on and so forth.
From there we went on to see their fine carpeting selections. We went on to hear about the major companies in the industry of carpeting and the textiles that they offer. He went on to discuss the construction of carpet making sure that all of us knew that carpet is made with a nylon majority. However, it is not the only material that can be used, as the make-up of the carpet depends on the feel and look desired. There were some carpets that were over the top and, very thick and fluffy with looser strands used more for rug coverage, there were carpets that were more commercial with a tighter weave and shorter more coarse strands. He introduced us to a current design fad of patterned carpets. Carpets that are either patterned by through dye with color or line variation, or carpets that express design through texture, with “burnt out” portions in the fabric.
After exploring the carpet displays, we went to the far right of the store and looked at something that held a little more personality, tile. He had tiles from all the major companies including Daltile and others. Leftwich had large slabs of granite for large overall coverage in a variety of more neutral tones. He also offered your standard tiles that you could find in any hardware store, but what really interested me were the smaller more detailed mosaic tile concepts. There was mosaic tile like small rounded rocks from the bed of a lake, or metal tile created to look like pennies of nickels. There was typical glass tile, but some had been cut so small it was flexible and could be curved and manipulated. Some tile squares were full of glitz and glam, with glitter or silver inlays. It was astounding to see the immense amount of differences in the entire presented tile.
All in all, the trip was incredible and opened my mind to the endless amount of design possibilities that you are given as an educated interior designer. No one room has to be alike, that there are materials and resources out there to make each and every room or space completely unique, from the hardwood and carpeted floors, to the tile chosen for ones kitchen or bath.
No comments:
Post a Comment