Stable characters
The variety of Object Carpet products is clearly evident when looking at the latest developments: ‘Cryptive’ thrives on the interplay of coarse and fine yarn loops, which give the product a natural feel and a calm surface appearance. The tone-on-tone colour schemes support this character, creating a restrained effect and an atmosphere designed to promote balance and well-being. As ‘Cryptive’ is made from 100 per cent recycled Econyl® yarn, the product combines visual naturalness with high durability and a positive ecological balance. " Cosmic, on the other hand, offers a bouclé look with a three-dimensional feel. The combination of high and low elements and a complex yarn construction creates an elegant volume that, despite its conciseness, achieves a calm overall effect. The seamless surface effect shows its strengths especially in large architectural contexts – regardless of whether the surface is designed in neutral or stronger colours.
In developing the new colours, Anne-Catherine Muller, textile designer in the Design Unit Creative Department, and Birgitt Winkler, Director of Portfolio & Product Management, deliberately sharpened these characteristics. ‘Cryptive and Cosmic share a natural aura – but tell different stories,’ they explain. While Cryptive creates a textile depth, Cosmic has a more striking presence. The aim of the colour development was to clearly highlight these characteristics while at the same time designing colours that work on a large scale. For ‘Cryptive’, warm, natural neutral tones were created, complemented by accent colours such as matcha green or chocolate brown. The consistency of the design was crucial: ‘For us, these are not short-term trends, but contemporary, material-oriented tones with consistency and character.’ For ‘Cosmic’, colours were developed that emphasise the elegance of the bouclé structure. Warm tones such as berry red or moss green lend the product a sensual depth, while light nuances make ‘Cosmic’ appear lighter and more open. The darker shades, on the other hand, emphasise its striking, almost dramatic effect. The result is a colour palette that deliberately balances restraint with stronger expression.
Safety and sustainability are key factors in the development of floor coverings, which is also reflected in the choice of colours. Anne-Catherine Muller and Birgitt Winkler explain: ‘We understand safety not only in a technical sense, but also as a functional quality in the room.’ A calm, harmonious colour effect facilitates orientation and reduces visual unrest – especially in tile products, where the seam pattern and transitions play a major role. Colour is also an important tool for ensuring the long-term architectural usability of a floor. Colours that fit into different room concepts and are durable contribute to true sustainability. The effect of colour in a room is a key design criterion for Object Carpet. ‘For us, the focus is always on people – the users of the space should feel comfortable,’ say Muller and Winkler. Warm, earthy tones create calm, while clearer or cooler shades promote concentration and freshness. The aim is to create a curated colour spectrum that enables different moods and uses colour as a connecting element between people, materials and architecture.
When researching new colours, cultural and design developments play a role alongside specific market requirements. External trend research and collaboration with platforms such as International Trendscouting and, in particular, RAL as part of the Trendbox are incorporated into the work. At the same time, both emphasise: ‘We do not see trends as short-lived fads.’ The combination of market observation, experience and knowledge of past colour worlds makes it possible to develop shades that are contemporary but not short-lived. Since floor coverings often remain in use for many years, the longevity of the colour worlds is crucial. Object Carpet relies on a mixture of neutral, architecturally compatible basic tones and strategically used accent colours. Trends are observed, but not adopted as direct guidelines. The aim is to create colours that appear timeless without becoming arbitrary.
For large-scale projects, many clients traditionally opt for neutral tones. According to Muller and Winkler, the challenge lies less in the courage to use colour and more in the planning system. Consciously applied accents enable zoning and differentiate areas without overloading them. They also observe an increasing trend towards calmer, more natural colour schemes, as modern working environments are designed to provide greater balance and visual relief. This idea is also expressed in the latest Object Carpet collection ‘NEULAND’ by Ippolito Fleitz Group under the motto ‘Noisy world off, serenity on’.
