Healthcare Textile

Every day the textile industry changes in the world of design. Styles change, materials change, new products emerge, and it’s our job at Design Alternatives to help keep you and your facility as up to date and informed as possible. Here are just a few samples of the products we use:

Greenshield: This is a finish that can be added to a fabric and is said to last the life of the actual material. It is a nanotechnology that creates moisture and stain resistance with the use of nanoparticles that attach itself to the fabric.

Nano-Tex: This is a finish that can be chemically bonded to a fabric and will create permanent
spill and stain resistance. It can also be combined with Dura-Block to make a liquid barrier on the backs of fabrics or BioAM to make a fabric antimicrobial.

Dura-Block: This product is added to a fabric to enhance the abrasion resistance by 50%.It is 100% recyclable and contains no VOC’s, formaldehyde, or perfluorooctanoic acid. The only down side so far with this compound is that it should only be spot cleaned due to the backing which can’t be laundered.

BioAM: This product is a non‐leaching antimicrobial treatment for Nano-Tex that reduces odors and stain through an electronic charge. It is tested up to 50 health grade washings, durable through the life of the product, contains no heavy metals
such as tin or silver, and will not affect the recyclability of the fabric.

EnviroCoat: This is used to replace Acrylic and Latex backings and is 100% Polyester. Despite being laminated onto the back of a fabric, it is still breathable and will repel liquids and stains while also improving the abrasion resistance and the seam strength of the fabric.

Crypton: Possibly our most widely used and popular product, Crypton is a moisture barrier that permanently alters the fibers of the product to help resist most oil-based and water based stains, spills, and even dry soil. It’s Low in VOC’s, perfluorooctanoic acid free, contains UV protectants, and an anti-static additive that helps repel damaging airborne dust and dirt particles.

InCase: This is part of the Crypton family of products that alters the molecule make-up of fabric to increase surface tension and does not require stain or microbial-resistant treatment due to the silver Ion microbial protection woven into the fabrics, which already resists both oil and water based stains. This is best used as cubicle curtains, panel fabrics, and bedding, but it can be used on almost any fabric.

With weddings and events getting more & more unique each season, setting the scene for you clients has never been more important.

Whether it’s a free standing venue, ballroom in a hotel or catering hall, here are a few things to remember when designing your versatile event space:

1.Neutral Flooring

Keeping the tones in the floor neutral makes the room easier to maintain for cleaning and allows the decor of the event to be the main focus as opposed to a bright, busy carpet.

2. Spacious Foyer

Create an area where guests can conveniently wait before the event begins. Fill the foyer with comfortable seating and lots of light for a big impact.

3. Bold Lighting 

Recessed lighting in a ballroom/ catering hall is great for set up and staff needs, but in order to make a statement incorporate a larger lighting piece as the focal point of the room. When designing the room, pick a chandelier that is sized appropriately for the space and can be adjusted if needed.

4. Room Dividers

If the space is large, consider installing room dividers to accommodate multiple or smaller parties at the same time. This not only optimizes space, but can also serve as a great addition to the design.

image credit: google.com

Bedside Phone

With cell phones being popular with people of ages, it’s easy to overlook putting house phones in easily accessible places. Make sure to install a phone in the bedroom and keep it on the bedside table. In case of an emergency, a senior will be able to call for help without having to worry where they last left their cell phone.

Closet Lighting 

Closets can be extremely dangerous without the proper lighting in them. To avoid accidents like tripping and falling items, add rope or overhead lights to the closet so that it’s easier to navigate through and see when something is on the floor as a tripping hazard.

Area Rugs

Remove area rugs or any other clutter from the floor that may result in a trip and fall. Often, area rugs bunch up causing accidents to occur. Keep all floor surfaces flat to avoid incident.

Today’s coolest floor trends are some most people would never think of. In design, you can use all different materials to make a space more interesting, and the floor is your biggest canvas.

Flooring can be the most impactful element of a space if you choose to take a bold design risk.

Here are some of the coolest flooring trends right now: 

1.Pennies

 Although glueing money to the floor may not sound appealing to many, the beautiful, vintage look a penny covered floor brings to a space is unique and is very durable.

Perfect for bathrooms and kitchens, the penny floor not only adds a pop of color, but will make your floor the center of conversation.

2.Broken Mirror 

Trust us, it’s not as dangerous as it sounds. Similar to how the penny floor is laid, mirrored floors are are completely safe after sealing with polyurethane. This modern look is popping up in large closets and contemporary stores across the country.

Although heavily a trend, this floor will spark curiosity for years to come.

3.Concrete

Concrete flooring is most common in industrial design themes, but it’s making its way into residential designs this season. The clean, modern look can be found from counter tops to floors, in multiple colors and finishes. Depending on how you choose to stain your concrete, it can either give a space a more industrial, unfinished looked or a very rich, vintage feel.

Although it may not be the best surface to walk on for hours at a time, a few area rugs added to soften the space will do the trick. In addition to being very cost effective, concrete floor is easy to maintain.

4.Mixed Flooring

Consider mixing different flooring in the same space. Many designers are going for a single flooring look throughout a space to make the area look larger and more fluid, but done correctly, multiple floorings can be the center of a space.

Try blending tile into wood in a kitchen area. The design can be unique to the clients’ taste and can actually make some of the spaces appear larger.