“Jewel boxes” – that’s how architect and designer Doug Larson refers to some J. McLaughlin stores. For these typically small, highly decorated boutiques, it’s a perfect comparison. Driven by a passion for pattern and color, J. McLaughlin puts a unique spin on classic styles with clothing and accessories that are beautiful, fun and meant to last. And the stores in which they’re sold must evoke that same playful sense of style.

For stores that use carpet tile, the colors used in the floor are the foundation for the rest of the interior.

“We want to make things fun and exciting and with all the colors available, the carpet tiles certainly do that. I build from the floor up with fabrics and paint colors. I can tone any paint and I can go through the warehouse and pick out fabrics from J. McLaughlin’s line to work with your carpet tiles.”

But it wasn’t just the breadth of color that attracted Larson to InterfaceFLOR tiles. He also saw their inherent design potential. By using multiple colors to create distinct patterns, (even cutting tiles into quarters for smaller scale designs) Larson further incorporates the look of J. McLaughlin’s clothing and accessories. “I realized right away that I could make plaids out of them,” he says. “Being able to take two colors a shade apart and get four tiles to make a plaid or gingham design is really cool. I like that because J. McLaughlin has gingham shirts. They have plaids. It’s kind of a preppy thing, which is their market niche, and it also speaks to weaving and textiles.

Co-founder Kevin McLaughlin adds, “We’re not just selling sweaters; we’re selling a lifestyle. The setting in which it’s sold is important and Doug understands our clothing and how to create the right environment. The carpet tile is fun and versatile and brings out that aspect of our brand.”

More Than Just a Pretty Face

The switch from broadloom to carpet tile was not only because of its aesthetic capabilities, but also because it’s a very practical solution for many of J. McLaughlin’s busy stores. Unhappy with the difficulty of installing and maintaining commercial broadloom and bored with the color options, the flexibility of InterfaceFLOR carpet tile was a welcome change.

Carpet tile installs faster than traditional roll carpet and with much less waste. And unlike broadloom, soiling or damage doesn’t require professional attention. Larson says that in-house staff can easily handle issues that arise. “We always have attic stock at each store but we clean the tiles first. When they don’t come clean, the staff can just pick up the damaged one and replace it.”

Beyond selective replacement, the ability to simply move carpet tiles from one location to another is immensely beneficial – both for efficiency and cost. Larson explains that occasionally J. McLaughlin will open a “pop-up” store to see how it will perform in a certain town. If it doesn’t work out, they remove everything, including the carpet tile, cabinets and light fixtures for use elsewhere.

“Moving and changing carpet tiles is a distinct advantage. We don’t need to keep making new capital investments every time we open a store. These carpet tiles are an inexpensive way to have reusable carpeting that’s aligned with the brand and available in fun, exciting colors. And you know, we could just never do this with commercial broadloom carpeting. It’s been a great product. It’s a lot of fun to work with.”

Project Details
Facilities J. McLaughlin

Locations Shown
Brooklyn Heights and New York, NY; Nashville, TN

Architect/Design Firm
Larson and Paul Architects

InterfaceFLOR Products Shown
Viva Colores™ in Verde Jade, Azul, Verdoso, Verde, Verde Amarillo, Berilo, Esmeralda and Prado
Flor® in Anthracite
Super Flor™ in Seville Passion, Pine, Forest and Primavera
Paint Box™ in Marigold and Cayenne
Menagerie™ in Pumpkin

Photography Credits
All photos by Patrick Mulcahy unless otherwise noted