I was browsing around online the other day and stumbled onto this random fact—apparently, terrazzo flooring (you know, that speckled, colorful stuff you see in old schools or hospitals) actually dates back to ancient Italy. Venetian workers used leftover marble chips from their construction projects, mixed them into clay, and voilà, terrazzo was born. Crazy how something that started as recycling scraps became trendy again centuries later.
Got me thinking about how flooring styles cycle around. Like remember when everyone had wall-to-wall carpet in every room? My grandma's house still has that thick shag carpet from the 70s...it's like walking on a cloud, but I can't imagine keeping it clean, lol.
Anyway, seems like hardwood and polished concrete are everywhere now. But I wonder what's next—maybe cork or bamboo will make a big comeback? Or maybe something totally new and eco-friendly will pop up.
Curious if anyone else knows some cool trivia about flooring or has noticed any other styles making a comeback lately.
"maybe cork or bamboo will make a big comeback?"
Cork flooring's actually been around in eco-friendly builds for a while now, but honestly, it's not as durable as some people think. I worked on a project recently where cork was chosen for its sustainability factor, but within a year it had noticeable wear and tear from furniture and foot traffic. Bamboo holds up better, but sourcing quality bamboo can be tricky—lots of variability in hardness and finish. Curious if anyone else has had similar experiences with these materials...
I've had similar experiences with cork flooring—it's great in theory, but the reality doesn't always match up. A client insisted on cork for their kitchen remodel because of the eco-friendly angle, and within months there were dents from dropped utensils and chairs scraping around. Bamboo definitely holds up better, but you're right about quality being hit-or-miss.
"sourcing quality bamboo can be tricky—lots of variability in hardness and finish."
Exactly this. If you find a reliable supplier though, bamboo can be a solid choice...just takes some trial and error.
Cork and bamboo both have their quirks, but honestly, I've found linoleum (the real stuff, not vinyl) to be a surprisingly good alternative. It's eco-friendly, durable, and softer underfoot than bamboo. Had it in my own kitchen for about five years now—no dents from dropped pans yet, and it's held up pretty well against chair scrapes too. Might be worth considering if you're tired of the bamboo sourcing hassle...
