EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is another  in our continuing series of profiles highlighting the winners of the 2007 NFT Styling Excellence Awards. Entries were judged earlier this year by showgoers at Surfaces ‘07 as well as by readers online. For a complete list of winners, see the April 2007 issue of NFT.



Winning the 2007 NFT Styling Excellence Award for residential carpet, Shaw’s Inspired Spaces collection is a meeting of high technology and good old-fashioned hard work. The flooring was inspired by suggestions from designers invited to the company’s annual Visions designer retreats. In Shaw’s view,  designers are highly regarded  professionals who are on the cutting edge of upcoming trends. Their perspective is invaluable and heir feedback helps set the design agenda at the company, according to  Emily Morrow, Shaw’s director of color, style and design. The sharp focus on design, backed by market research to determine consumer preferences, is why the product has been “very well received in the marketplace,” she said.

“Many colorists, designers and other Shaw associates have put so much time, thought and effort into creating Inspired Spaces. For that hard work to be rewarded and appreciated by our respective partners in the industry is encouraging and gratifying,” she said.

Inspired Spaces also benefits from what Morrow calls “the latest tufting technology,” which allows for enhanced patterns and extra dimension, as well as two-tone visuals. Products in the Inspired Spaces collection of Anso Nylon carpets also feature Shaw’s SoftBac backing and R2X stain and soil resistance. Additionally, the company notes that the collection is fully cradle to cradle recyclable.