Lancaster, Pa. -- Commercial designers, interior architects, and visual merchandisers of retail spaces are turning to hardwood to create unique spaces at Global Shop, held March 27 to 29 in Chicago, Ill. Armstrong Flooring expands the design potential by bringing the warmth and natural beauty of wood from the floor to the wall.

“Hardwood is the most coveted type of flooring, so it's no wonder that it's also successful as an interior wall design in retail, whether in boutiques or restaurants,” said Sara Babinski, hardwood design manager for Armstrong. “On the wall, the carefully crafted textures and tones of wood bring natural warmth and authenticity into the retail environment.”

According to Babinski, texture is the new color. “Color has always been a force when it comes to design choice, but texture is becoming just as important. Texture like what is found in today’s natural hardwood flooring is tactile, visually stimulating and adds interest to a space,” she added.

Many of Armstrong Flooring’s engineered wood products can be used on walls, such as Woodland Relics. Woodland Relics captures the essence of reclaimed, weathered wood. Every plank is uniquely crafted using hand-staining, sanding and woodworking techniques that showcase abundant textures and tones. The collection includes a varied sampling of multiple species, widths, colors and textures, all of which are mixed together to create a highly custom look.

On the floor, wood has an elegance beloved by customers and retailers alike, as a genuine hardwood can carry the motif and experience of the entire establishment. The right wood flooring is an authentic and critical component of engaging spaces that customers remember. Flooring becomes the literal foundation upon which retail projects flourish because of high-end designs that provide a timeless look as well as durable finish for a longer lasting wear.

Designers can choose from durable, on-trend collections such as TimberBrushed, which offers artistic techniques like liming and deep etching; American Scrape Hardwood, a rustic, hand-scraped look that features distinctive graining and knots in a vibrant palette of golds, grays, reds and browns for a rich texture; and Performance Plus, which combines the stunning look of hardwood and commercial performance with two times the hardness of regular hardwood floors, and a scratch- and stain-resistant finish for higher-traffic retail environments.

HomerWood is a premium hardwood brand from Armstrong Flooring that offers classic to contemporary designs for truly spectacular floors in a range of beautiful species, colors, styles, textures and surface treatments. Featuring a variety of unique collections, handmade craftsmanship, and custom capabilities, HomerWood can turn any vision into reality.

New collections launched at GlobalShop include striking fresh visuals that combine wire-brushing techniques with distinct color washes and variable width designs. The varied tones and random patterns capture the coveted essence of reclaimed hardwoods.

For more information, visit www.armstrongflooring.com.