Making the interior design sampling process more sustainable and simple, Mercato Place has introduced an online library that allows interiors professionals to choose the samples that are relevant to their specific needs. Mercato provides material samples from respected brands within the industry and affords tools that facilitate research and sourcing.
After learning about materials through detailed product information provided via the platform, interiors professionals can organize their options by project, allowing them to share direction with colleagues and clients. Materials may be searched by the following criteria:
- Application;
- Abrasion;
- Brand;
- Certifications;
- Characteristics;
- Flammability;
- Market segment;
- Pattern type;
- Performance brand; and
- Price.
Users of the platform click on their desired materials and request samples. Unused samples may be returned to Mercato free of charge and the company recommends returning a minimum of 25 in order to reduce negative effects on the environment. Order history is stored on the platform for easy reference to reorder, track orders and return samples.
Partners of Mercato include the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Association for Contract Textiles (ACT), Mortarr, OneTreePlanted and the American Society of Interior Designers.
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Following its January 2022 launch in the textile space, Mercato unveiled its first category expansion in June. Through a partnership with solid surface product manufacturer Durasein, the platform also provides a comprehensive selection of surface products for an array of interiors projects.
“Category expansion has been in our sightlines since the beginning and Durasein is a perfect partner to break this new ground with,” said Ray Sayers, President and Founder of Mercato Place in a statement. “We’ve been working hard to grow our roster of manufacturers and designers and believe this new category expansion will bring added value to our community.”
While building its services, which allow designers to examine trends and source complimentary material samples, Mercato Place has added eight brands to its group of textile manufacturing partners, which now includes:
- Arc-Com;
- Camira Fabrics;
- Designtex;
- Fabric Innovations;
- Fil Doux;
- HBF Textiles;
- Kravet Contract;
- Luna Textiles;
- Luxe Surfaces;
- Magitex Décor;
- Mayer Fabrics;
- Momentum;
- Patty Madden Wallcovering;
- Room & Board Business Interiors;
- Ultrafabrics;
- Valley Forge Fabrics;
- Bella Dura
- Crypton;
- InsideOut Performance Fabrics; and
- Nanotex.