Flor carpet tiles have been around for several years now, that's no mystery. It doesn't change the fact that we are still madly in love with them and adore scavenging for ways others are using them in their homes. Click through the jump to see 7 more fantastic Flor tile uses and an interview with Craig (who's living room you see above) on his Flor experience!
We asked Craig from Chicago, a few questions about his Flor tiles. Here's what he had to say about them!
1. How long did it take you to decide on the colors/pattern of your FLOR tiles before ordering?
I really took my time going through the catalog and playing around with FLOR's great online tile selector feature. That really helped me feel confident with the textures/colors I wanted. All in all, I spent a week thinking and rethinking and going through that site.
2. If you had it to do over again, would you have picked something different?
Right now, I'm happy to say that I am very pleased with the tiles I chose! I think in the future I may try to replace some of the lighter cream-colored tiles with darker brown ones.
3. Do you still love your tiles or would a traditional rug have been sufficient?
See, I think the FLOR approach to carpeting is perfect and brilliant. Because I would not be able to replace parts of a traditional rug to subtly accent a color I may want to introduce later. Or even if the colors of the room stay exactly the same, by taking some tiles out and putting different ones in, the whole mood of the room is effectively and inexpensively altered. I love it!
4. Did you consider modifying your tiles before laying them down? (cutting, shaping, mixing and matching pieces exc.) For this application I did not want to modify my tiles at all. I think in the future I would love to do a wall to wall installation. My boss did one that is amazing. He picked a scheme of tiles all the same texture and installed them on a slant. It is perfectly trimmed to the room and it looks really awesome.
5. Do you have any tips for others when purchasing tiles or trying to decide which ones should come home with them? Definitely, without a doubt, take advantage of FLOR's sample tiles. Order 6... order 20! --I guarantee that you'll be glad you had a chance to examine the textures and realize how much your computer monitor color is not calibrated! Not to mention the little 6x6 inch samples are awesome. Because they can become drink coasters or hang on the wall in some sort of arrangement to accent your pending FLOR installation. Another interesting thing I realized is that 9 of them fit into the space of one regular FLOR tile. I think that could look really great in a large layout.
Thanks Craig!
Check out some of the ways others have used their tiles in the rooms below. They are in nurseries, offices, living rooms, doll houses and more! They are installed in the color set they came together with, mixed and matched colors as well as textures and some that even installed on a diagonal.
Have you used your Flor tiles in an unexpected way? Show us and tag your photos with "apartmenttherapychicago" on Flickr!
Photos used via Flickr by: figlife, beetle9, tworabbits, splityarn, Gilkata, squeakymonkey, monstro, skaw,
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
squares, shmares. but can someone tell me whose green chairs those are in the top pic?
view lavabo's profile
Flor tiles are cool looking, but they are impossible to vacuum. I would recommend getting the Flor tiles in the same color as your pet because you will never get the hair out of them! I also don't like how they feel underfoot, but then I'm partial to shag...which would be the extreme opposite to Flor tiles.
view amiencc's profile
These are so fantastic! I am not a fan of wall-to-wall carpet. I plan on using them in my future Motorhome. They will be a great way to modernize those interiors.
view frnd4vr's profile
Even Blythe has Flor tiles... too cute!
view sarah nin's profile
I just went through the experience of buying Flor tiles to make a runner at home. I would definitely recommend ordering carpet samples ($1 per sample) before placing a big oder. I found the texture and colors of the Flor tiles to be completely different from pictures and descriptions on their website. Overall we're very happy with the ones we bought, but it took a lot of buying and returning before we realized that the samples were the best way to go. Live and learn.
view BrendenM's profile
order not oder. Ha! Sorry.
view BrendenM's profile
FLOR it defintely on my list of option to check out when we move in to our new house in a couple of months. The tip to get sample is great.
view souk1501's profile
I love floor tiles, but that TV-as-a-plant-stand idea is awesome. Very Organic Modern Cheap Chic.
view chaseunchase's profile
Flor tiles can look great, but I have to say I had a really bad experience last month when I moved and had to take them up from the hardwood floors of my rental. The tiles had basically bonded with the floor and left behind a really scary black film anywhere there had been any weight - so along the main walking path and under all the furniture legs. I was scrubbing like crazy and it wouldn't come off (imagine the panic as I'm supposed to be letting in the landlord to inspect). Finally got the stuff off with, I kid you not, WD40 and a lot of elbow grease. So it ended up okay, but it was a big scare, a lot of work, and not what I expected. The floors were oak strip, urethaned, and I had never heard of this problem before, but it was no fun!
view screenname's profile
I think I was one of the first residential Flor customers. At the time there was only one customer service rep, and we were on first name basis. And as it turned out, my sister worked with her at her last job. Anyway.
Has anybody used these on their walls?! I am very tempted to cover an entire wall with them. VERY. But I'm not sure how to affix them. Would be interested to hear if anyone's done so.
view christinashaver's profile
I haven't used these on a wall myself, but I recently read a magazine article in which a couple used Flor tiles as an alternative to corkboard on their walls in their office. It looked great - they used patterned tiles above bead board for an entire wall. I do wonder if it really works as a bulletin board material?
view lucys's profile
why do people always have to slide in a comment about being "I was the first/one of the first/one of the early ones..."?
Anyway, FLOR is great! I have not had any problems vacuuming my tiles, but I have the low-cost FEDORA series which is very low pile. I use my x-lo setting on my vacuum to get them nice and clean. I really want to try Walking on Clouds for my living space and move my Fedora combination to my home office.
view scarlethue's profile
anybody know where i can find the tiles in the multi-patterned runner in front of the crib? i don't see them on the flor site, but me likey.
view kristykreem's profile
never mind. found 'em (area rugs).
view kristykreem's profile
You know, I have always kinda been icked out by flor. I find the texture to be very unappealing underfoot... and they always look like cheap office carpeting to me. Perhaps one day I'll get the appeal?
view kittyj's profile
Please when you comment refer to which tile type you like or dont like. It doesnt really help to say "FLOR Rocks!!!" or "Flor sucks teh big one". And AT is about trying to help people make design decisions and provide product reviews.
So please some specificity. All Flor tiles are not created equal.
I know because I have been to the Flor showroom in Atlanta and touch and tried out every style.
view Trumystique's profile
It's been a few weeks (maybe a month or so?) since there was a Flor post.
I knew something strange was underfoot (pun intended).
view Seaside's profile
To scarlethue regarding why people always need to say "I was the first one": because you feel cool. And there ain't nothing wrong with feeling cool. ;)
view christinashaver's profile
Over it long ago. I don't get the fascination. I haven't cared enough to go Atlanta and touched and tried out every style. But, to each it's own. It takes all colors of crayons to color a world.
view quiltmaster's profile
I have the Wide Wale in my living room, and the Morning Coffee in my EIK. and I love them. They actually clean really easily, and are very comfortable. We don't wear shoes in the house and I've had zero complaints.
The samples are a no brainer because they give you a credit for like $15 when you order them. It just makes sense. And I spent like 2 months deciding which ones I wanted.
view nordicfreak's profile
As a mom of 2 little boys, I love these tiles. We have them under our dining room table, which is our main eating space. The wood floor requires a rug, but it was impossible to keep clean. I can pull up the tiles under the boys' seats every few days, take them to the sink, and clean them up. GENIUS.
view debtex's profile
those things look kinda cheap. they make me throw up in mouth a little bit. sorry i know that's mean but they remind me of institution carpeting! those textures....
view mia kepia's profile
Anybody have experience with Flor carpet squares on top of wall-to-wall? I've been searching for an area rug, either 5x8 or 6x9; these could be a good alternative.
view nosestuckinabook's profile
I like Flor and use it, but this interview had the double cheesey-ness of a bad and obvious sponsored post. All the subtlety of an infomercial. Lots of "amazing"s, "perfect"s, "brilliant"s, and !. Who is this Craig, why is he considered particularly knowledgeable, and why does his opinion warrant an "interview"? More importantly, was money or benefit exchanged for this post?
I smell a sponsored rat.
view RichardinLA's profile
Things to like about FLOR:
- formaldehyde-free
- low-VOC
- easy to Return & Recycle
- some tiles made from up to 80% recycled materials
- other tiles made from renewables like wool, cotton and corn
- available in happy-face design! :)
Full review -- http://1greenproduct.com/2008/09/home-flor-modular-carpeting.html
- Aaron Dalton, 1GreenProduct.com
view 1greenproduct's profile
In response to RichardinLA:
Hey now! I am Craig. I definitely do not work for FLOR (though I'm sure it would be a cool job). And there was no payment sent my way. I was randomly contacted by a very nice AT editor via my Flickr who kindly asked me if I would answer the above questions. I am a student living in Chicago and I am just really excited about my FLOR tiles. So bad? I don't think so. I'm no rat, I promise.
Also, in response to lavabo:
I found those green chairs in a thrift shop in suburban Chicago. Let's just say the day I stumbled upon them was a really great day!
view Craig Gronowski's profile