Did you miss this year’s Surfaces or IBS conferences? Word on the street is that many of you were not able to attend due to budget constraints. (Trust us, we understand.) Luckily for you, we were able to send part of our team to both, and we took notes!

Here are some trends and highlights from Surfaces 2008:

These bamboo flooring samples reflect a trend in natural flooring that was big at Surfaces this year. Bamboo is no longer a one-trick pony; with a diversity of finishes and color combinations, it is now a versatile way to add a touch of naturalism to a home.

Don’t limit comfort and style to indoor design! In this display, Dale Tile brought rich color, appealing design, and indoor comfort to outdoor design.

Leather is not just for car seats, expensive jackets, and purses anymore! Would you believe that leather is now a luxury in flooring?? Shown here, EcoDomo’s Leather Tile collection was yet another reflection of this year’s trend in natural flooring.

  Where better than at Surfaces to realize that flooring choices don’t all have to look alike! Beyond the conference’s emphasis on naturalistic textures and materials, Imagine Tile demonstrates how to introduce nature into the home in a bold way. Their colorful array of patterns grabbed our attention, and our imaginations!

Here are some highlights of 2008’s International Builders’ Show:

Lennox’s “Radium” fireplace stood out with its sleek design, completely flush with the wall. This approach to a fireplace is innovative, space-saving, and eye-catching.

Doors are not only the entrance points into a home, they are design elements which can make or break a home’s decor. Trends in artsy doors include designs such as this iron-wraught wonder.

Environmentally-friendly options were a huge part of IBS 2008. Many lighting companies displayed their energy conscious products with pride. Here, Vierti stylishly displayed its energy-saving lighting options.

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Now that you know what captured our attention, what was your favorite part of these shows? We heard that while the attendance was understandably low compared to previous years, the quality was exceptionally high! Do you agree? If you were unable to attend, why not?