Vivid 202: An unprecedented colour carpet tile range with 202 colours across six colour families

This article, presented by T Magazine, highlights a curated selection of recommendations spanning various luxury goods and experiences, including artisanal rugs, a Michelin-starred restaurant, modernist-inspired cement tiles, a romantic tarot deck, and a unique hotel spa. Each section delves into the origin, craftsmanship, and distinctive qualities of these items or locations, often featuring interviews with their creators or founders. The first recommendation, "Covet This: Rugs That Conjure an Ancient Garden in Kabul," introduces a collaboration between French illustrator Louis Barthélemy and Ishkar, a London-based company supporting artisans in war-affected regions. Barthélemy, known for his elegant approach to textiles, worked remotely with women weavers in Afghanistan to create a capsule collection of three hand-knotted Ghazni wool rugs. The patterns for these rugs were inspired by the weavers' drawings of Bagh-e Babur (Babur’s Garden) in Kabul, a place symbolizing beauty to them, combined with one of Barthélemy's own designs. Each rug took approximately six months to complete and is described as a "collective dream of an ancient paradise." These rugs will be exhibited in London in April and September 2024. Next, "Eat Here: A Newly Michelin-Starred Restaurant in France’s Dordogne Valley" focuses on Cueillette, a restaurant housed in a reconstructed 19th-century manor in Altillac, France. Owned by the Gervoson-Chapoulart family (behind Bonne Maman jam), Cueillette features chef Oscar Garcia, who, at 25, was France's youngest Michelin-starred chef. A decade later, Garcia continues to deliver hyperlocal haute cuisine, sourcing ingredients like trout, sturgeon, game, Limousin beef, and produce from the property's own orchards and gardens. The restaurant recently earned its first Michelin star, noted for its innovative dishes and an astonishingly affordable multicourse lunch option. The third section, "Consider This: Artisanal Cement Tiles Inspired by Modernist Homes," spotlights Zia Tile, a Los Angeles-based company founded by Mike Leflore and Danny Mitchell. Their new "Case Study" collection of cement tiles draws inspiration from the iconic Case Study Houses in Southern California, known for their affordable, forward-thinking design. The collection features solid tiles and geometric patterns, each poured and pressed by hand, resulting in nuanced variations due to the artisanal process. Zia Tile boasts a palette of 64 colors, with the Case Study line introducing four new shades: Pompeii, Dune, Rust, and Elemental Blue. Unlike glazed tiles, cement tiles are designed to patinate over time, acquiring an aged character reminiscent of European cafes or old hotel lobbies. "Gift This: A Parisian Illustrator’s Romantic Take on the Tarot Deck" presents Marin Montagut’s Le Tarot Divinatoire. Montagut, a French illustrator, has been fascinated by tarot since childhood. His 22-card reinterpretation of the Major Arcana features playful watercolor illustrations, designed in his Normandy studio and produced by Parisian artisans who hand-gilded the edges using traditional techniques. The collection also includes silk scarves and cushions, reflecting a renewed modern interest in tarot. Montagut emphasizes the desire for a bit of magic in people's lives as a reason for tarot's growing popularity. Finally, "Go Here: In Venice, a Hotel Spa Filled With Fragrant Art" introduces the newly launched spa at The Venice Venice hotel, a 44-room establishment within a thousand-year-old palazzo on the Grand Canal. Owned by Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo, founders of Golden Goose, the hotel is designed as an art destination. The spa, conceived as an art installation, features sculptural works by Romanian artist Victoria Zidaru. In the treatment room, linen tubes filled with dried grasses, flowers, and herbs from Zidaru’s garden line the walls, creating an enveloping fragrance. A similar textile work covers the ceiling over the indoor pool. The spa offers deep-tissue massages and facials using medicinal plants, with Zidaru also developing custom teas and treatment oils for the hotel. #LuxuryGoods #ArtisanalCrafts #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalInspiration #TravelRecommendations #MichelinStar #TextileArt #CementTiles #TarotDeck #HotelSpa

Rainbow Carpets and Floors, a Watsonville-based business specializing in floor coverings, faced significant challenges in 2020, marking it as the most difficult year in its 44-year history. Despite the adversities, including the temporary layoff of half its employees, the business saw a resurgence in activity starting May 1st. Owner Dean Sturtevant credits the loyalty of his long-time customers and financial support from suppliers for helping them navigate the downturn. The company, which is owned and operated by Dean and his wife Rochelle, has adapted by closing its Santa Cruz location to consolidate operations at a lower-overhead facility at 416 Airport Boulevard in Watsonville, strategically located near the Watsonville Airport. This move allows them to compete effectively with larger big-box retailers by offering personalized service and maintaining strong community relationships through word-of-mouth referrals. Rainbow Carpets and Floors offers a comprehensive range of flooring solutions, including popular brands like Armstrong, Mannington, Shaw, and Mohawk. A notable trend in recent years has been the increasing demand for hardwood and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) flooring for both residential and commercial projects. LVT is highlighted for its durability, stability, resistance to moisture and climate fluctuations, ease of installation and maintenance, and its aesthetic resemblance to real wood. Beyond carpeting and LVT, the business also provides a selection of hardwood, laminates, and ceramic tiles in various styles, as well as window coverings to complement interior decorating needs. The business maintains a strong local presence and family heritage, originally founded by brothers Don and Dean Sturtevant. While Don has since retired, Dean and Rochelle, both graduates of Soquel High School, have been integral to its operation for 42 years. The company prides itself on its local employees, many of whom are bilingual in Spanish, and a team of installers who have been with them for three decades, underscoring their commitment to expertise and customer satisfaction. This dedicated workforce enables Rainbow Carpets and Floors to handle a wide array of projects. Customer service is a cornerstone of their business model, offering free estimates, complimentary decorating services, and zero percent financing options. They serve a diverse clientele, including owners of residential and commercial properties, builders, real estate companies, and insurance restoration services. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the establishment has implemented health safety measures, including providing hand sanitizer at the entrance and ensuring staff adherence to social distancing guidelines. A dedicated children's area with a small table and chairs is also available, enhancing the shopping experience for families. Dean Sturtevant emphasizes the company's core expertise, stating, "Flooring is what we do. It’s what we know better than anyone — it’s what we do better than anyone." Rainbow Carpets and Floors is located at 416 Airport Boulevard in Watsonville. The store operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional information and updates can be found on their Facebook page. #FloorCoverings #WatsonvilleBusiness #LuxuryVinylTile #HardwoodFlooring #HomeRenovation #SmallBusinessResilience #CustomerService #FamilyOwnedBusiness

As interior design trends evolve towards bolder palettes, richer textures, and increased use of pattern in 2026, a paint technique known as color capping is gaining prominence. This approach serves as a more subtle alternative to color drenching, offering a method to introduce fresh energy and color into a room without the commitment of painting every surface in a single hue. It is presented as a low-effort way to revitalize a space, especially during darker seasons, by adding brightness and warmth without undertaking extensive renovations. Color capping is defined by Stephanie Hunt, founder of The Flair Hunter, as the application of a single color in various tonal variations or saturations across a space. This typically involves using a range of similar shades on multiple surfaces, such as cornices, millwork, doorways, and ceilings. Hunt's preferred method is to combine lighter walls with mid-tone cornices and a darker ceiling. This creates a sense of height and a cozy, enveloping atmosphere. While this is a common application, the technique encourages flexibility, allowing for different arrangements of tones and materials. The essential principle is to maintain a smooth tonal gradient, avoiding abrupt shifts between very light and very dark shades to prevent a color-blocking effect. Beyond paint, the concept of tonal color capping can extend to upholstery, rugs, and other decorative elements to create a cohesive, layered look. Regarding optimal locations for color capping, experts suggest it is most effective in relatively enclosed spaces, as its impact can be diminished in grand, vaulted areas. Bedrooms and living rooms are particularly suitable due to the calming and layered feel that tonal shifts can create, which is conducive to relaxation. The presence of millwork, such as baseboards and crown molding, is crucial for a seamless transition between shades. For instance, one shade might be used on baseboards and walls, a different one on crown molding, and another on the ceiling, with crown molding helping to blend wall and ceiling colors. The process of color capping begins with selecting a color, starting with an anchor hue (often a mid-tone) and then choosing lighter and darker variations. Many paint brands provide tonal cards to simplify this selection, emphasizing that the chosen shades should appear to belong to the same color family. When matching colors to a room, simple, open-layout spaces can accommodate bolder and darker hues, while smaller spaces benefit from lighter colors with neutral undertones. Inspiration for a color palette can be drawn from existing elements in the room, such as a rug, textile, or artwork. However, it's advised to limit the dominant color to just over 50% of the space to prevent it from feeling overly thematic. Testing the chosen colors is a critical step, as natural light and time of day can significantly alter how shades appear. It involves sampling a range of tones and observing them side-by-side to ensure the desired subtle gradient is achieved. This can be done by painting swatches directly onto multiple areas of the room or by using large poster boards that can be moved around to assess color perception in various lighting conditions. Thorough preparation of the space is also essential, including cleaning walls, ceilings, and trim to remove dust and residue. Any imperfections will become more noticeable with fresh paint. For older paint jobs, a high-build primer is recommended to ensure an even finish, with the primer's undertone matching the chosen color palette (warm for warm colors, cool for cool colors) to prevent unexpected color shifts. Once these preparatory steps are completed, the actual painting process can begin, transforming the space with the chosen tonal vision. #ColorCapping #InteriorDesignTrends #PaintTechniques #HomeDecorating #TonalPalettes #InteriorStyling #DIYHomeImprovement

The article highlights the early announcements of the 2026 Colors of the Year from various paint brands, offering insights into upcoming home decor trends. These early revelations provide inspiration for homeowners looking to refresh their living spaces, whether through comprehensive room makeovers or subtle seasonal adjustments. The selection of a new paint color is presented as one of the most impactful and accessible ways to update a home's aesthetic. Dunn-Edwards introduces "Midnight Garden," an earthy green reflecting a desire for wellness and grounding in home environments. This versatile shade is suitable for various applications, including cabinetry, walls, accents, and exteriors, and pairs well with natural textures, warm neutrals, and minimalist designs. Clark + Kensington's "Hazelnut Crunch" signals a trend towards brown-maroon tones, offering a rich, deep hue that promotes restoration, comfort, and calm. This color integrates seamlessly with both natural textures and modern design elements, appealing to homeowners seeking a relaxed atmosphere. Graham & Brown presents "Divine Damson," a bold burgundy that emphasizes personality-driven design. This luxurious color, a British institution's pick, adds sophistication and a contemporary edge to whimsical designs. The brand also unveiled a Design of the Year, Eternal Weave, and a Mural of the Year, Eternal City. Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams collaborate on "Universal Khaki," a versatile neutral that blends familiarity with freshness. This color is inspired by enduring elegance and rejuvenating resilience, forming a sophisticated yet simple backdrop. It is also featured in Sherwin-Williams' Colormix Forecast 2026, Anthology: Volume Two, which includes four distinct color palettes. Krylon's "Matte Coffee Bean," an almost-black brown, is intended as an accent color for spray paint applications. This shade adds dimension and a grounded allure, aligning with the appeal of organic minimalism. It draws inspiration from natural elements like clay, wood, and stone, providing a timeless and sophisticated choice for elevating everyday spaces and fostering harmony. It is suitable for updating furniture pieces, planters, and vases. C2 Paints' "Epernay" is a sophisticated ochre yellow, offering a richer and more timeless alternative to the butter yellow trend. This color is associated with European influences and contemporary design, evoking connections to art, history, and nature. It encourages appreciating the individuality of homes and the stories they hold. "Epernay" is part of C2's 2026 En Terre palette, which includes complementary shades like Parador, Spearmint, Potato Leek, Snowsky, and Blueberry. Glidden's "Warm Mahogany," a rich, burnt red with an almost-brown undertone, marks a departure from recent neutral palettes. This color has a nostalgic, retro, and mid-century modern feel, yet remains current. It functions effectively as both an accent and a primary color, and is also suitable for trim. Ashley McCollum, Glidden paint color expert, describes it as a classic and timeless color. Minwax, a wood stain brand, selects "Special Walnut" for 2026, reflecting a renewed appreciation for wood's natural character in interior design. This classic, dimensional tone is versatile across styles and applications, ideal for restoring vintage pieces or finishing new projects. Behr introduces "Hidden Gem," a green-blue that encourages the integration of more color into homes after a period dominated by neutrals. This bold yet approachable shade is connected to nature, promoting confidence in its enduring appeal. It can be used for color-drenching a room or as an accent. Valspar's "Warm Eucalyptus" is a cooler, earthier green, offering a comforting and serene option that adds color without being overly bold. It has a spa-like quality and is suitable for various rooms, including bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, and exteriors. Sue Kim, Valspar's Director of Color Marketing, notes its adaptability as both a statement and a subtle anchor. Dutch Boy Paints' "Melodious Ivory" is a creamy-beige neutral that aims to transcend trends. It provides a classic backdrop that supports various textures, elements, and personal touches, emphasizing comfort, quality, and connection in the home. These selections reflect a collective movement towards more personalized, comforting, and nature-inspired palettes, indicating a shift from purely neutral aesthetics to richer, more expressive tones in home interiors. #ColorOfTheYear #PaintTrends #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #PaintColors #DesignInspiration #HomeTrends #ColorPalettes