Bolon’s Flow Flooring Collection

The design of the Flow flooring products was influenced by the ever-changing surface of the sea and was developed by Bolon’s in-house creative team, who introduced a new element that adds an extra dimension to the woven material. ‘We wanted to achieve a completely new look with a flowing watercolour effect and pastel tones,’ explains chief creative officer Marie Eklund. ‘By using transparent warp threads we have been able to design and produce a collection that is very different to our earlier collections.’

Flow is unique among Bolon’s products because of its colour scheme of light greys and pastel shades, which makes it extremely versatile and suitable for a wide range of commercial projects. The transparent fibres woven into the surfaces produce a gently shifting visual quality that replicates the effect of light reflecting on rippling water. The overall aesthetic is natural and tranquil, yet enlivened by the subtle illusion of motion.

Another innovation introduced with the Flow collection is a range of versatile laying options. The product is not only available in standard rolls and tiles but also in a new organic tile shape that ties in with its oceanic theme. Inspired by the shimmering organisms in the ocean, the Scale tiles form a surface composed of curves instead of straight lines that emphasises the collection’s soft and natural aesthetic. Having already developed angular tiling patterns for previous collections, Eklund explains: ‘With Scale we wanted to introduce the first organic shape to add a rounder, softer and more fluid option. Scale is a classical form within pattern design, with strong references to textile, wallpapers and other interior elements.’ The tile shape will be used for other ranges in the future.

Each element in the Flow collection is woven from the same coloured threads but features subtle surface variations or gradients that give the completed floor a consistent yet individual character. ‘Every article in the collection can be combined in a beautiful way without adhering to strict pattern-based laying,’ Eklund points out. ‘This is achieved by weaving all articles on the same warp which means that they all have the same core colours.’ The result is a system of standardised yet unique components that promotes creative expression and customisation.

Flow also continues Bolon’s heritage of ecological innovation, which stretches back to its founding in 1949 by Annica and Marie’s grandfather Nils-Erik Eklund. The company’s first products were rag rugs made from recycled textile waste, which set the standard for sustainable practices that still inform the business. The new flooring products feature a backing made out of post-industrial waste processed at the company’s new onsite recycling plant. Discarded material gathered from Bolon’s own production facilities as well as those of other companies is ground down to form the backing that comprises up to thirty-three percent of the end product.

The use of recycled materials is part of Bolon’s larger commitment to employing sustainable principles throughout its business practices. The company currently uses only phthalate-free materials sourced from approved suppliers, which are then refined less than 250 kilometres from its factory in the town of Ulricehamn to reduce the amount of transportation required. It seems appropriate that a product like Flow, which is designed to reference the ocean, should be manufactured in adherence with the most rigorous of ecological codes and used to promote the company’s vision for ‘A Future Without Footprints’.

Flow represents the latest stage in an evolutionary process that has seen Bolon expand its outlook and influence from a traditional textile mill to a global flooring brand with clients including Adidas, Google, Mercedes and Missoni. The company’s growth has been aided by intelligent creative decisions, such as ensuring products like Flow are suitable for use in a wide range of applications. ‘Flow is designed as a versatile, elegant, soft and elementary collection that suits projects in every segment,’ Eklund claims, citing its neutral palette and customisability as the reasons for its flexibility. The intelligent design, versatility and ecological credentials of the Flow collection set it apart from many competitive flooring solutions, but for Bolon it’s just one more chapter in a long and ongoing history of innovation.