On Wednesday, Aug. 1, fans of HGTV got their first glimpse of the network’s third annual Urban Oasis Giveaway at hgtv.com/urbanoasis, getting a sneak peek of the newest residence and availing themselves of a full virtual tour.
The fully-furnished 1,700-square-foot luxury condominium, decorated by Miami interior designer Lindsay Pumpa, is the centerpiece of the giveaway's 2012 grand-prize package valued at $900,000.
HGTV designer John Gidding will give fans their first on-air tour of the property in the HGTV Urban Oasis Tour 2012 special on Friday, August 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Sponsors of the Giveaway include the iRobot Corporation, The Sherwin-Williams Company, KOHLER and Mullican Flooring.
Mullican’s Castillian Collection was introduced to consumers in 2010 as high-end, engineered hardwood flooring that combines distinctive surface treatments with enhanced durability.
The products appear to have filled a niche in the design world.
“Interior designers are particularly drawn to this collection,” says Brian Greenwell, vice president of sales and marketing for the Johnson City, Tenn.-based company. “They like the different surface treatments and say the flooring goes well with the crisper, cleaner lines of contemporary interiors.”
Pumpa contends it was the Castillian flooring that set the tone for all other aspects of the renovation. “It was really my first inspiration to start mixing the natural, weathered accent pieces with the new modern furniture,” she said. “In the end, it really provided a great contrast in the condo.”
The product is wire-brushed, which means planks had been stroked with a wire brush to discard the surface’s soft wood. This process gives each plank a worn, European appearance that not only adds character but makes the flooring more durable, less slippery and easier to maintain.
Other products in the Castillian Collection are whitewashed and/or hand-sculpted, which means the planks are individually stylized with tools by trained craftsmen to make them appear aged.
“Castillian, with its different surface treatments and colors, appears to have an avant-garde appearance that fits well with current decorating design trends,” Greenwell said. “We’re excited to see how the appeal grows.”