Look Out Below

CHECKS MARKS THE SPOT
“For this laundry room, we mixed texture and pattern through a paper-weave wall covering, pleated block-print shades on the chandelier, and a classic oversized checkerboard floor tile. Because this is a hardworking, high-traffic space, durability was key, making tile the most practical choice for everyday wear and tear. The bold checkerboard pattern adds visual interest and a sense of intention, elevating a utilitarian room into something special. Keeping the palette and pattern classic ensured the space still feels cohesive with the rest of the lakefront home.” — Paige Loperfido, Décor & More Designs

Available at MDC: Cercan Tile floor tile.

PAIGE AND CO-DESIGNER JESSICA BROOK’S FLOORING TIPS:

• Consider the function of your flooring. High-traffic or utility areas benefit from durable, easy-to-maintain materials like tile or luxury vinyl, while quieter spaces can handle softer finishes. Choosing the right material up front prevents premature wear and prevents costly replacements down the line.
• Don’t underestimate the impact of scale and pattern. Larger-scale tiles or bold patterns can visually expand a room and add personality, even in smaller or functional spaces. We’ve found that the right pattern can transform an area without overwhelming it.
• Layer warmth and comfort where needed. Hard surfaces are often necessary, but incorporating rugs or carpet runners adds softness, improves acoustics, and makes a room feel more inviting. The key is balancing durability with comfort so the flooring works both aesthetically and functionally.

FAMILY FRIENDLY
“When designing a lower level — especially one that walks straight out to the lake — your flooring needs to work hard. We selected a custom performance rug for this space that is stylish yet incredibly durable. It’s water resistant, stain resistant, and completely kid and pet friendly, making it the perfect foundation for easy, worry-free lake life. You shouldn't have to stress about muddy paws or wet swimsuits when you're trying to relax.” — Barbi Stalburg Kasoff, Stalburg Design

Available at MDC: The Ghiordes Knot rug.

BARBIE’S FLOORING TIPS:

As an interior architect, my preference is always to provide function and durability first. 

• Rugs: There are so many wonderful products out there, and now it's easy to choose something that will meet the demands of a young family. Rugs that are made with polyethlene terephthalate (PET) yarn can easily outperform kids and pets. We've had to learn the hard way, but I would absolutely stay away from anything with viscose or bamboo material in wet areas or at entrances to the home. These fibers break down from water. 
• Tile: Many of our clients like consistency and tone-on-tone textures. In the last several years, we've taken bathroom floor tile and had it pre-cut at the factory into a smaller mosaic shape that is easily used on the shower floor. Don't be afraid to use one tile for many different purposes.
• Wood Floors: we spent decades installing wood floors and providing different combinations of stain samples to come up with the perfect foundation for new construction. We still use this method for renovations and when we are refinishing wood floors. But now, for new construction, it makes so much more sense to use solid pre-engineered wood products. The installation is seamless, it's completed in half the time, and the product comes out exactly as we intended.

ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY
“In this project, the mudroom and adjacent half bath are anything but secondary spaces. There is no door separating the mudroom from the living room, so the flooring needed to be as beautiful as it was durable. I selected a cement tile from Ann Sacks with a bold blue pattern that reflects my client’s favorite accent color while standing up to heavy daily traffic. 

Continuing the same tile into the half bath created a seamless visual connection and made both spaces feel larger and intentionally designed rather than utilitarian. With the pocket door often exposed, accent lighting under the vanity and within the built-in cabinetry turns this once overlooked area into a true design moment, while the custom cabinetry provides the generous storage many homes lack.” — Armina Kasprowicz, Armina Interiors

Available at MDC: Ann Sacks tile.

ARMINA’S FLOORING TIPS

• Balance beauty with durability from the start. The most successful flooring selections are the ones that can handle real life without sacrificing the design vision. High-traffic areas, homes with pools, pets, or kids require materials that age gracefully and are easy to maintain.
• Pay close attention to transitions between spaces. One of the biggest challenges in floor design is how one material meets another. Thoughtful transitions — or better yet, continuity where possible — can make a home feel larger, calmer, and more cohesive.
• Be mindful of scale when using rugs, especially in dining rooms. In smaller spaces, an improperly sized rug can make the room feel crowded or awkward. Flooring and rugs should work together to define the space without overwhelming it.

TIMELESS CLASSIC
“A petite guest bath does not need to be boring. The black matte finish, 2 x 10” porcelain tile was placed in a timeless, classic herringbone pattern which flowed into the textured, mini-mosaic shower floor. Carrying the same color tone in the grout along with mixing tile patterns enhanced the space by creating depth and movement.” — Margaret Skinner, Margeaux Interiors 

Available at MDC: Ann Sacks tile.

RUNNING FOR THE DOOR
“An ignored side entrance was given a warm welcome. The organically shaped wool rug is an unexpected design element and is easy to maintain. Incorporating a low pile, durable wool carpet runner with a wood staircase offers interest, as well as safety. A black and tan carpet with vertical stripes visually lengthens the area and complements the boldly painted risers, treads, and stringers.” — Margaret Skinner, Margeaux Interiors 

Available at MDC: The Ghiordes Knot stair runner.

MARGARET’S FLOORING TIPS:

• When a large or unique shape is required to cover a floor, create an area rug from carpeting and add an edge binding. It’s an excellent way to define and anchor a space.
• Versatile rubber flooring is a suitable option for sound-dampening rooms such as home gyms, garages, and playrooms.
• Luxury vinyl planks are a cost effective and durable approach for basements, utility, and storage areas where water can be a problem.

IT’S ALL ABOUT INTENTION
“Because the bathroom is long and narrow, we introduced a bordered layout to visually emphasize the length while also adding an intentional design element, rather than letting the space read like a hallway. We chose natural stone for the floor to elevate the primary suite and give it a more luxurious, timeless feel. The addition of brass trim between the field tile and the border was a key detail, adding a subtle glam moment and reinforcing the overall design language.” — Rachel Nelson, Concetti 

Available at MDC: Beaver Tile floor tile.

RACHEL’S FLOORING TIPS

• Start with function, then aesthetics. We can make almost anything look good, but durability, use, and lifestyle should always lead the decision.
• Know the maintenance level. Natural stone is beautiful but requires ongoing care. Porcelain alternatives can deliver the same look with less upkeep and more durability.
• Think about tile size. Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines, which makes floors easier to clean and visually calmer.
• Consider the finish. Slip resistance matters, especially in bathrooms and high-traffic areas, so the tile’s finish should match the space it’s used in.