Shaw Contract’s Cultura Collection 

Shaw Contract introduces the Cultura Collection, inspired by the traditions and people of Oaxaca, Mexico. This  collection of flooring, which includes rugs, broadloom, carpet tile, and LVT, showcases a blend of traditional contemporary design. 

Design leaders at the company explore global trends each season, and an emphasis on community in hospitality and corporate environments was the starting point for Cultura. “Every year we dive into research and what is really important to our customers in these segments. There was a big focus on building and maintaining a healthy, thriving culture, especially within our workspaces. And we really wanted to explore that a little bit deeper,” said Ashley Olson, design director of Shaw Contract’s workplace and hospitality studio. 

Shaw Contract’s Cultura Collection was inspired by the traditions and people of Oaxaca, Mexico. Photos courtesy of Shaw Contract

On a tight timeline, Olson explained that they pulled all of their preliminary information together quickly so that the team could travel and then begin working on the collection. After reviewing a number of possible destinations, Oaxaca was selected not only for its natural beauty, but also the richness of their handicrafts. 

Olson noted that because the group was only in the region for five days, they made the most of their trip by visiting archaeological sites and meeting with several craftspeople to learn more about their techniques, which are passed down from generation to generation. 

The textures in the collection call to mind the handwoven textiles that the design saw during their visit to Oaxaca.

Not only were they able to talk with the locals, they created alongside these skilled makers for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “We were in one woman’s home, and her children helped with the workshop,” Olson said. “She showed us everything from how they harvest wool, how they spin it, the natural dyes, and then the final weaving. “Being able to learn from her directly and to connect with her family, and to see how they were carrying on the tradition was inspiring.” 

While learning and crafting was enriching for those who made the trek, and led to the development of an award-winning collection, it had a ripple effect for those people in the towns as well via support of the local economy and the livelihoods of the citizens. It also was a trip that expanded their horizons literally and figuratively, and was central to how the collection began to take shape. 

The flooring blends traditional and contemporary design elements.

Olson wanted to bring the same sense of wonder that one has when in a new city or country, and then translate it to different types of flooring. “When you are traveling, it puts you in a mindset where you are hyper-aware of your surroundings,” she said. “We wanted to approach the development of the collection in the same way— with curiosity and a lot of exploration.”  

Yet with so many ideas and takeaways from the trip, there was a process of paring down to make the collection a cohesive one without too many disparate ideas. “There was definitely a feeling of inspiration overload, so we tried to hone in on the key elements of the experience that we felt really captured the essence of the place and the culture,” Olson noted. “Whether it was the textiles or the architecture, we considered all of it.” 

The LVT flooring in the collection has added depth.

Specifiers can combine the Cultura flooring effortlessly, rather than blanket a space with only carpet or hardwood. Indeed, the interplay of constructions and patterns adds to the appeal. “Pretty early on we realized that we wanted a larger holistic offering. It’s rare that we see offices with just one type of flooring throughout the entire space anymore,” Olson explained. “Some options are smaller scale and more textural, and others are more graphic and impactful. This allows users to create some dynamic installations.” 

Olson also noted that the color palette was selected to complement the textures, revealing the character of each style, with layering effects that call to mind the variations found in pieces formed by hand. “We knew that we needed a nice range of neutrals, but we incorporated warm and cool tones into each individual color. So even though one tone may read as warmer, there is a sense of cool, which pairs well with a variety of finishes.” 

The Cultura Custom Collection previewed at HD Expo prior to NeoCon, and the tighter timeline was actually an advantage. “We are seeing the crossover of hospitality influencing other segments, and it was nice to be able to build the custom collection and the running line together in that way, pulling from a lot of influences. And it was about creating this kit of parts that designers can use to mix and match depending on what sort of solutions or aesthetic they are looking for,” Olson added.

The flooring is ideal in hospitality or corporate settings.