Guhde Flooring America is rolling out this year’s hottest flooring and kitchen design trends, right now

By Patricia Nugent

The design gurus at Guhde Flooring America make it their mission to bring emerging trends to Northeast Ohio.

I spent an illuminating morning recently with the dynamic duo of Shawn Rosa and Monica Guhde Rosa at their fabulous new temporary digs on the terrace level of the Platinum Center in Mentor.

To keep pace with its quickly growing business, the family decided to set up a second location this year while renovating their main one in Painesville Township. It is projected to reopen sometime this year. With loads of displays and design tables arranged to make shopping a delight, the new showroom is simply amazing.

“One of the cool things about being in this building is that it’s literally a showcase of all that’s possible in remodeling,” says Shawn. “We worked on everything here in terms of flooring, cabinetry, backsplashes, waterfall counters and 3D accent walls. It’s fun to take customers on a tour to show them life-size treatments of things they might be interested in.”

Monica reports the new showroom is a less-is-much-more experience. “It’s a little smaller than our other location, but since we curated our selections to represent the newest and best-selling styles, it seems larger and less cluttered,” she says. “People tell us they love the new space and one-on-one concierge shopping.”

Thinking Outside the Box
“When it comes to design trends, it seems our world keeps getting smaller,” says Shawn. “Thanks to HGTV and Pinterest, new looks become popular quickly. In the past I could tell you a certain customer would walk in and buy XYZ carpeting, but today our clients are taking chances and thinking outside the box when it comes to their homes.”

Here are a few trends Shawn and Monica say their clients are currently crushing on:

• Full-height backsplashes — “Running the countertop material up to meet the cabinets can make a big impact in any kitchen design,” says Shawn. “The larger-scale optics tend to make the space seem bigger, with cleaner lines.”
• Medium-sized porcelain panels — “Our manufacturers have come out with two-by-four-foot panels that lend a beautiful and flowing effect and are more affordable than the giant ones. Some of them are made in a book-match pattern with a mirror image imprinted on opposing panels, which are gorgeous and statement-making. We are seeing them in big master showers and accent walls,” says Monica.
• Marble mania — “People love the natural and organic look of marble, but represented in more durable quartz,” he says. “Cambria just came out with a new line of marble-look quartz called Inverness that’s quite popular. It features scattered and textured veins of charcoal, bronze or cobalt against a cool white background. It comes in a matte finish, which is also in-demand.”
• Heated floors — “These are the new must-have with master bathroom renovations,” she says. “Temperature-controllable from your smartphone, nothing feels as soothing on your feet or spa-like on a cold winter morning than heated floors.”
• Green is the new blue — “Last year when clients opted for a bold and adventurous accent color on cabinets, countertops or flooring, it was most often cobalt,” says Shawn. “This year, it’s becoming emerald or forest green. We think people are bored with so many years of pale gray and want a pop of color for a little more fun and happiness.”

Guhde Flooring America is temporarily located on the terrace level of the Platinum Center, at 7200 Center Street in Mentor. Call 440-639-1990 for an appointment or visit GuhdeFlooringAmerica.com for more information.