It has been said that a man’s home is his castle. Dorothy even told us there’s no place like home. And we, no doubt, feel most comfortable in our own home, surrounded by our luxurious cork flooring and wall coverings. However today, we wanted to bring you some unconventional home trends that we have seen recently with cork materials. These homes remind us that no one but you can say what makes a home a home to you!
The Japan Times showcased a cluster, or rather, a neighborhood of house boats located in Washington’s Gangplank Marina. The article itself is rather entertaining, spotlighting not only the interior decorating trends seen on many of the houseboats, but also on life itself within the marina. Eve Bratman brought her love of green design to her 42-foot vessel. She describes her 400 sq. ft. living area décor as “eco-chic”. “ ‘We’ve got cork floors, wood accents, continuity of light … and new Energy Star appliances,” as well as sustainably harvested wood and no volatile organic compound paint.’ ”
In only slightly larger living quarters, we find a new trend in housing – shipping container homes. And these owners are also focused on bringing in green decorating trends to their small, but sometimes luxurious spaces. Some of these homes are the epitome of renewable energy and recycled beauty. Tiny House Talk showcases a container home where cork flooring is installed in the home, recycled gray water is used in the toilet for flushing, a hand held shower heated by a gravity fed solar hot water heater, and solar power are just a few items in the home’s décor that are energy and conservation efficient. This tiny home even boasts a miniature pool attachment!
If you've seen any cool cork designs in your area – whether interior or exterior – we’d love to have you submit pictures and comments to us! And don’t forget to post it to our Facebook page and “like” it to stay up to date on cork news and trends worldwide!
Check out our amazing sale on our Ebony, Night, and Rock cork wall tiles while supplies last! This amazing clearance sale brings you our best quality cork wall tiles that boast unmatched competition and beauty for only $2.50 per square foot! Only $55/carton. Call us today at 1-888-955-CORK (2675) for more details and ordering information. Don't miss out on this hot summer sale!
Have you wondered about how cork is harvested? Do you worry about heavy machinery chipping away at a natural habitat? Well have no fear! The cork tree is a renewable source of material, as the actual tree is never cut down. Only the outer bark of the tree is carefully removed by hand to ensure that the core of the tree and the tree itself is never harmed. Strict laws govern how cork can be harvested and when it can be taken.
All AmCork cork floating flooring and wall covering products are all natural cork and made by harvesting only the bark of the cork oak, the tree itself is never felled. The bark requires periodic harvesting in order to preserve the longevity of the tree. Bark is harvested about once a decade from the cork oak, and with regular and proper bark harvests, the trees live for more than a century.
Cork is an eminently renewable resource harvested from the living bark of the Cork Oak. The properties of cork are derived naturally from the structure and chemical composition of the inner cells. Each cubic centimeter of cork’s honeycomb structure contains between 30 and 40 million polyhedral (14 sided) cells (over 100 million cells per cubic inch). Cork is harvested in a steady cycle that promotes healthy growth to the tree over its expected lifespan of over 200 years. Though the Cork Oak "Quercus suber" can flourish in many climates, the conditions that favor commercial use lie in a fairly narrow swath that cuts through Western Europe and Northern Africa along the Mediterranean coast.
Read more about how cork is harvested and watch an amazing video on the harvesting of the cork oak bark. We thank you for your interest and encourage you to ask any other questions that may be on your mind. We are here to help you in your selection of the perfect cork flooring and wall covering options for your home and office!
We would love to hear from you on any corktacular projects where you may have used cork for a portion of, or for the entire project. You can share with us either by commenting here, or by posting to our Facebook page. We have a few ideas we are currently working on including a decorative photo hanger and DIY cork boards for pinning. As soon as the DIY cork pin boards are complete, we will update and post them on our blog and FB pages as well as construction instructions. In the meantime, please share your creative DIY projects with us and our readers by posting photographs and/or descriptions of what you have done with our products. Whether it's a unique flooring pattern or creative wall coverings, corky counter tops, or smaller individual projects that encompass cork in any fashion, we invite you to brag about it. We can’t wait to see what cork wall DIY projects you have been up to!
… This is one of those phrases you are told as a child, teenager, college graduate, newly married, and so on. It is how we express to another that they have unlimited potential; that one has the ability and freedom to go anywhere; do anything they want. How amazing and uplifting is that sentiment? It makes the heart swell and the imagination wander aimlessly down new and exciting avenues.
But do we really live life as if the world were our oyster? How many of us claim our true, innate potential and release it upon the world full force? Not many… Oddly enough, I have been pondering this expression with regard to
cork flooring lately. Cork has always inspired me, sparked my curiosity, and illuminated a path less traveled. Cork is not your run of the mill flooring selection, which only adds to its mystique. Cork, in my opinion, has taken the world as its oyster and run with it all the way to the finish line!
Choosing flooring for your home or office may feel like you are stepping out on a limb; it’s a little exciting and a little trepidatious at the same time, especially if this is your first time installing and living with cork flooring. But have no fear! Cork tiles make for durable flooring options that will surpass your expectations.
Cork flooring is a natural choice that supports the natural, living environment while also improving your immediate environment. It is innately mold and mildew resistant when installed in your home or office. It is also a natural noise absorber, dampening acoustical volume.
Another brilliant bonus with
cork flooring is that even though it can appear dramatic and high maintenance, cork is exceptionally easy to clean and maintain. Simple sweeping and occasional damp mopping is all it takes to keep your
cork floors looking showroom ready. No lugging out heavy equipment; no major chemicals used to clean spills and stains. It’s absolutely refreshing in this day and age, where time is so limited, to be able to have floors that are easy and efficient to clean; no more hassles.
We have talked in the past about the
pros and cons of cork flooring. We invite you, we implore you – The world is your oyster! Step out and take a chance with
cork flooring. Unleash your inner creativity!
Cork flooring isn't growing in popularity for no reason! People are finding out the wonders of cork and are excited to invite them into their homes and offices. Bring the oyster into your home and unwrap the world of cork!
Are you following us on Pinterest? If not, hop on over and find great images of our products, as well as emerging trends in the interior decorating world with cork, cork project ideas, crafting with cork, and much more! We will also keep you up to date on Specials and Sales here too! We look forward to seeing you there - Happy Pinning!
Celebrate Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness with our finest sale yet! Our Fourth of July sale has something for everyone. Check out our amazingly liberating deals on our Specials page. We are sure to have something for everyone's needs and tastes. Call or email us for more information if you are unsure about a selection. We are happy to talk cork until the fireworks go off!
We all know, especially if you have been following this blog, that
cork is a “green” material. We have even dappled with the question of its
trendiness. But there is now the question going around in the interior decorating world – Is
cork flooring trendy or classic? A trend, by
definition, is “style or vogue”; “to emerge as a popular trend; to be popular.” Well, in my humble opinion, popularity in flooring choices is what keeps the leaders in the forefront for decades at a time, thereby making them a classic. In other words, if it wasn’t popular to begin with, it wouldn't have become a classic. A Burberry trench coat is only a classic because it became popular and proved its worth in 1901, but its staying capacity in the market is what has made it a classic in fashionistas' closets even today.
The same is true with
cork flooring. Cork, as a
flooring selection, has been around for more than a few decades. Cork has been around for centuries and has continued to gain popularity over the years. Yes, there has been a current resurgence in
cork flooring over recent years, but in the 1970’s people also carpeted over gorgeous hardwood floors with shag carpeting. In most people’s minds, hardwood is a classic choice in flooring; however, it too was once covered. This only strengthens my argument, given the historical and trending interior data, that cork is a classic in
flooring solutions.
Classics are like “soul food.” They warm our hearts and make us feel good. Classics give us confidence in the
product be it famed artwork adorning our walls, respected brands that clothe our bodies, or conscientious choices for our interior décor. This confidence stems from a proven track record of being a timeless flooring product.
Cork has certainly proven itself in this arena.
Cork flooring has long been touted for its eco-friendly properties, as well as its hypoallergenic nature. Its durability has withstood all climates and centuries of well-worn use in many cases.
AmCork offers over 35 different
cork flooring varieties to suit anyone’s palette. We offer many neutral, timeless flooring color choices as well as bolder selections for those who want to make a statement or like to keep their eye appealed with views draped in dramatic hues. We offer both floating
cork floor plank and
cork floor tile options so that you can decide what is best for your individual project and installation needs.
So, sink your teeth into the heart warming classic that is currently a home flooring trend –
cork flooring! We have exactly what you need! Every room in your home begs with every fiber in its being to be covered in cork. There isn't a room cork flooring doesn't work in!
Contact us today -
Wall coverings have been around since approximately 200 BC when the Chinese began gluing rice paper to their walls as a means of expression and decoration. Wall coverings have since ranged from wallpaper, tile, tin, carpet, stone, and many other creative materials of expression. We have witnessed trends ranging from simple and understated to bold and textured cork accent walls. And in recent years, we have witnessed the modernism of
cork wall coverings.
Cork, harvested from the Quercus suber (the cork oak), has gained popularity in recent decades for its many health and environmentally conscious properties. Not only is it hypo-allergenic, but it is also highly self-sustainable and subsequently helps decrease the carbon levels of our current environment. This miracle material can be found in all facets of life; from fashion to
interior decorating; from health and lifestyle to the food industry. There are few places in our lives that one would be hard pressed not to find cork in some form or fashion.
At
AmCork, we love promoting only the highest quality
cork floor tiles and
cork wall tiles. These products are lovingly selected for our customers by our team of cork experts so that when they are installed in your home or office, they are the finest reflection of your decorating vision. Our
cork wall tiles are highly versatile and can create a unique, attractive look in any room. We suggest
cork wall tiles for noisy rooms, or for rooms, such as bedrooms or baby nurseries, where peace and quiet is most important. They can also be highly efficient in office and restaurant settings so that the entire world is not privy to your personal conversations.
We have also seen a surge in the use of
cork wall tiles in the medical industry primarily for their hypo-allergenic properties.
Cork is naturally resistant to mold and mildew making it a premium choice in “sick” environments. By naturally blending the health conscious properties of cork with its sound absorbing qualities, this organic product seems like a no-brainer when deciding how to decorate or renovate your next home or office project.
All of our cork board sheets are made from recycled cork materials and are used in
cork wall coverings and cork ceiling tile applications for the purposes of sound absorption and thermal insulation. The product is self-healing from push pins just like a regular cork pin board. It also adds immense beauty to any room. We also offer
decorative cork boards that are manufactured with our
cork wall tiles and can be purchased
here.
These large cork board wall panels will surely add class to any office setting!
All products are easy to install. Our
cork board products are a highly durable and are easy to maintain and repair! Different
cork wall tiles can be
combined together to create unique wall pattern designs or allowed to stand out singularly as their own natural graces lend themselves to an attractive look for any room. Check out our selection of over 20 decorative
cork wall tiles today. Contact our expert team with any questions you may have or use our easy e-commerce store to order now! We are happy to help you discover the natural beauty of
cork wall coverings!
Photo credit: HGTV
One of the most innovative and unique ways we have seen our
cork products being used in recent years is within the teaching and home office community with the advent of
decorative cork boards. You will see them in many “quick décor” stores and their corresponding websites like Pottery Barn, Etsy, and Office Depot. We decided to dissect one of these boards to see how their cork stood up to our own product. Upon removing the wood frame, we found little cork and mostly wood. The 1/8 inch thick cork sheeting on the surface of the decorative cork board was really that – just decorative.
Cork has amazing self-healing properties, lending itself naturally to the push and pull of
bulletin boards. The pins never leave a permanent mark in the cork, leaving the board looking polished and complete at all times. However, like with most products, the more you have, the better it is! Meaning, the more cushion the cork has in thickness, the easier it will be for the cork to demonstrate this self-healing property.
So, you may be asking what this self-healing property is all about. Is it miraculous? No. Just natural. Think of the cork stopper in a bottle of wine. When you remove it, it expands after being pulled from the bottle neck. I have never been successful with “restoppering” a bottle of wine exactly how it was originally package once I have opened it. Initially, the cork shrinks or contracts to fit the size needed in the wine bottle neck, and then expands to its original form and size once freed. The same proves true with the cork wall tiles and decorative cork boards. The cork allows for the space the high pressure item (the pin) needs when inserted, but when removed, the cork naturally expands back to its original form. Covering the hole, and allowing for the self-healing to occur.
We offer our
cork wall tiles in an array of colors and styles that allow you to select a quality product that will serve not only as a decorative bulletin board for your home office or mudroom needs, but also bring a sense of style to a typically generic type of product. Our 12”X24”
cork wall tiles are sold in cartons of 11 tiles or 22 sq feet of cork. This high quality product will also give you the benefit of acoustic and thermal insulation wherever installed, making your home office even cozier!
And if you don't have that "do-it-youself crafty gene" in your body, we have partnered with another company to bring you our specialty
decorative cork boards for your home office made with our highest quality cork products! Our new
decorative cork board inventory offers you beautiful frames with a variety of cork tiles to compliment any room you choose. Our decorative push pin boards vary in sizes from 30X30 to 40X30 and come complete with gorgeous custom frames and mounting hardware. We are so sure you will love the attention to detail we put into every
cork board we make - we even guarantee it!
Take a look at our selection of
decorative cork boards and cork wall tiles today and choose from over 20 different color and style patterns, all designed to meet your needs with the highest quality product available. Send us a picture on our
Facebook page of your innovative
decorative cork board once you have installed it and we will post it here for others to be inspired by!
