We've been big fans of FLOR from way back. Maxwell first wrote a post about FLOR in April 2004 and they've been on our radar in one way or another ever since. We recently got the opportunity to take a tour of their offices in Chicago — and in the process got a sneak peek at the new styles that will be rolled out in the summer catalog.
The FLOR offices are what you might expect — colorful and mismatched, modern yet warm. From the long runway of mismatched FLOR tiles to the airplane door partition for a conference room, walking through the FLOR offices is kind of like stepping inside one of their catalogs.
Shown Above:
• A long runway of mismatched FLOR tiles greets you as you enter the offices. From this vantage point you can see the airplane door partition wall.
• These old airplane doors are used to create privacy in this small conference room. The doors were salvaged from a plane graveyard in Arizona years ago and made appearances in a few FLOR catalog shoots. Chip DeGrace, FLOR's Creative Director, installed the doors as a partition over a weekend.
• The tiles that line the floor are a mix of old and new. You might see some discontinued styles under your feet and then take a step or two and see some brand new styles.
• Mood boards and catalog layouts are leaning against most walls, even in conference rooms that would otherwise look like a page from one of the catalogs.
• A giant patchwork of tiles creates a giant rug under the cubicles that house the call center and other FLOR staff. The effect is like sitting on a giant quilt, which lends a homey comfort to the office.
• This colorful rug, using tiles cut in half, was designed by the office manager for a new store opening.
• The new styles for spring, including my personal favorite, Hey Jack, are lined up against a wall near the entrance.
• New styles and colors are being prepped for the summer 2012 catalog. While most catalog shoots happen in actual homes, FLOR also uses an in-house photo studio for close-ups and other shots. Just beyond the boards stacked against the wall in this photo is the small photo studio.
• This new black and white pattern, In the Mix, is sure to be a new favorite when it hits catalogs this summer. Interestingly, I learned that even with all the wonderful patterns that FLOR offers, the biggest sellers are almost always solids.
• The new styles for summer will introduce new patterns and colors. FLOR introduces new styles, and also removes a few old styles, every season. The newest styles use 100% recycled content.
FLOR is planning a major expansion of retail stores this year. March brings the grand opening of a new store in San Francisco and Boston will get its first FLOR store in April. Stores will also be opening in West Hollywood and Georgetown in the coming months. Check out the FLOR website to see if there's a store near you.
MORE FLOR ON APARTMENT THERAPY
• How To: Cut & Install FLOR Carpet Tiles
• $2 FLOR Rug Sample Reused as Mousepad
• How FLOR Tiles Saved Me From Being the Loud Neighbor
• A Behind the Scenes Look at a FLOR Catalog Shoot
(Images: Jason Loper)
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
All I can say is this is genious marketing, taking an industrial and commercial product that has been around for a long time, one suitable for uses such as the converted garage posted about today, one that apparently will ruin any nice wood or other nice floors with the sticky things needed to hold the squares together, and convincing people to pay not insignificant prices for it as hip, modern design. I do admire such genious.
We have used flor tiles since the late 90's. We have had them on oak floors, maple floors & bamboo floors. We have not ever had an issue with any of the floors being ruined. If any of the adhesive residue ends up on the floor underneath, it washes up quickly & easily.
With having pets & small children, we love the tiles for ease of cleaning.
They have come a long way since the earlier days of housepet (we still have house pet tiles from over 10 years ago). We just ordered the stripe parallel reality- the actual tile samples looked even better than the catalog. I can hardly wait to get them!
I love you, AT, but this format is so tough to follow. Is there a way to move the text up as captions for these great photos? Otherwise I'm reading a bullet, scrolling back up to the top to look at the photo, scrolling back down to read the next bullet... Oy. It's annoying and distracts from what was a great and interesting post!
@laurajane: captions added.
Textiles,
We had a ~9x12 flor rug for years on 50 year old wood floors. NEVER had any residue or any other problem from the flor dots or the tiles in general. not sure how that would happen since the dots face up?
anyway, I found the light color we had to be impractical for living with a baby and lots of pets. the stain resistant quality seemed to fade fast. so, we ditched ours eventually, but only for that reason.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Granny squares! I've got the full-body shakes. Granny square carpeting. Somebody hold me.
Wow, TEXTILES...lighten up! Hard surfaces aren't for everyone. You're right...it is genius, but not in the way you suggest. Like most anything, it's identifying a need and providing a solution!
Textiles, you are so wrong with this comment: one that apparently will ruin any nice wood or other nice floors with the sticky things needed to hold the squares together
FLOR squares never hurt my hardwood flooring. Second, I didn't even need FLOR dots in most areas.
Please stop smoking crack.
@maryaleslie, I agree -- I think. That granny afghan square is horrifying! Funny! But horrifying!
I like some of the tiles, but the patchwork look of using all the samples in a random layout disturbs me. Maybe a rainbow progression or some other organized flow would be less jarring.
@TEXTILES: The adhesive squares, FlorDots, should be sticking to the undersides of your tile. If it’s sticking to anything else, you did it wrong.
I love my FLOR tile rugs. With 2 young kids & a cat, I’m always so thankful to be able to pull up a tile to rinse it off when necessary.
Its taking product that can handle commercial wear & designing it with a more graphic, fun aesthetic that appeals to a more residential palette. Yay for FLOR!
@TALLSARAH, I have a Parallel Reality rug in my living room: combination of 5 of the colors. I LOVE IT!!!! You’ll be so happy!
Um, I actually have a major crush on that granny square design... for real. Alas, judging from their website, it does not seem to be available any longer.
I'm majorly crushing on that granny square too, oddly enoguh i actually spent a good amount of time this weekend with my floor covered in granny square quilts going "why cant THIS be a carpet??" My dreams have been answered. and then quite literally ripped out from underneath me as i realized they are no longer in store... bring them back please!!