Mohawk’s Sakiori Collection Looks Eastward For Inspiration
The cultures, landscapes, and materials of Asia have long captured the imaginations of designers in and out of the region. Minimalist design principles, Feng Shui techniques, and use of sustainable, natural resources appeal to many seeking harmonious spaces. Not to mention the intricate patterns and vibrant textiles characteristic of the area, which catch the eye on floors, clothing, and building facades.
Now Mohawk Group, a leading provider of flooring solutions, has launched a resilient tile collection named after a centuries-old weaving approach called sakiori. This technique originated in Japan by those who could not afford the latest fabrics and, out of necessity, wove together scraps from shredded kimonos to create new pieces. With this new collection, Mohawk Group looks back — to a time far removed from the digital age — to move its award-winning portfolio forward.
The Sakiori collection, which consists of three woven patterns offered in a neutral palette, is a response to the human desire for softness in today’s screen-centric world. “After interacting with technology and touching glass all day, we crave the tactile and have this desire and need to bring texture back into our lives,” says Di Anna Borders, director of design segment, resilient, at Mohawk Group.
To create the collection, the company’s design team bonded woven vinyl fabric to another layer of vinyl, which they then attached to the LVT substrate. The additional layer of vinyl between the woven fabric and LVT substrate peeps through the material adding depth; it also enhances durability.
“We waited for a long time to launch because there were so many woven vinyl products out there at the same time that would fail because of clean-ability,” says Borders.
The extra vinyl layer between the fabric and the LVT substrate in the Sakiori collection is the game-changer. It helps to fill in the small openings of the weave, while still maintaining texture, making it ideal for commercial spaces, which have typically strayed from this type of product due to clean-ability.
The award-winning collection includes three enhanced resilient tile patterns, which reference the craft of hand-stitching and pair well together: Hemstitch, a traditional weave; Weave, a multi-width cord-like weave; and Linked, a vertical striated weave. The tiles come in varying sizes including 18″ x 36″, 9.84″ x 39.37″ and 9.25″ x 59.25″ format planks, enabling designers to create unique installations in large spaces. “The 9.25 X 59.25 planks make a big statement,” says Borders.
