Redefining retail: To create a sustainable showroom

HelloAgain Décor’s new Miami showroom needed a stylish, sustainable makeover to match their antique Italian furniture. MAPEI’s Ultratop Loft System delivered a high-performance, visually stunning solution.

HelloAgain Décor, renowned for bringing antique Italian furniture to America, needed a showroom that would reflect their commitment to sustainability and style. The furniture store, based in New York City, sources, restores and refurbishes stunning antique pieces from Italy, transforming them with traditional techniques. When they decided to open a showroom in Miami, Florida, the space had to match their high standards.

The showroom was selected for its potential but needed a complete makeover to meet HelloAgain Décor’s design requirements. The goal was to create a high-performance, modern-looking floor that would complement the repurposed Italian furniture, making the showroom an immaculate environment where sustainability meets style. To achieve this, HelloAgain Décor turned to MAPEI for a solution, specifically inquiring about the Ultratop Loft System, a cementitious micro-topping renowned for its durability and aesthetic appeal.

“When they reached out, it sparked a multidisciplinary teamwork effort to achieve a common goal at the highest industry standards,” explained Maurizio Luccarelli, MAPEI’s Business Development Leader and Product Line Manager for Cementitious and Resin Flooring Systems. Working with the architectural team of 3to5 Design, Luccarelli and MAPEI’s local Technical Sales Representative Carlos Hernandez developed specifications that would meet the showroom’s unique requirements.

MAPEI on the jobsite

The first step was surface preparation. Upon beginning the work, Top Coating Decor, the installer company, found significant damage on the old slab. They used MAPEI’s epoxy crack-repair product, Epojet, to repair all the cracks. After properly chasing and filling the cracks, a shotblaster was used to create a CSP #3 slab profile. With the slab cleaned and prepped, it was time to prime and broadcast.

Primer SN mixed with Mapesand Fine was applied and allowed to dry for 24 hours. This primer provided a strong foundation for the micro-topping system. Next, the crew installed the micro-topping system of Ultratop Loft F and Ultratop Loft W, which has been designed to create a durable, decorative surface. The liquid color Ultratop Easycolor was also used to achieve the desired aesthetic; for this project, a custom color was created. The result was a deep burgundy floor, reminiscent of fine Tuscan wine, which perfectly offset the antique Italian furniture.

The final step in the process was the application of Mapefloor Finish 630, an acrylic sealer that provides additional protection and a polished finish. These application steps were followed to also apply the Ultratop Loft System to the walls; however, the crew used Primer LT for the walls instead of Primer SN. “Primer LT is designed for vertical surfaces,” Lucarelli explained. The comprehensive Ultratop Loft System ensured flooring and walls that are not only visually stunning but are also highly durable, capable of withstanding the daily wear and tear of a busy retail environment.

“The store is open and a busy success,” Luccarelli stated. According to their Website, HelloAgain Décor has become more than just a store; it is a vibrant community hub open to hosting events and collaborating with independent brands, mindful creators and skilled artisans. This transformation was made possible through the collaboration between HelloAgain Décor, 3to5 Design, Top Coating Decor and MAPEI.

This project highlights MAPEI’s commitment to providing high-quality, durable system solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. The use of the Ultratop Loft System in HelloAgain Décor’s Miami showroom showcases how MAPEI’s products can transform a space, creating an environment that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The successful installation of the cementitious resin coatings in HelloAgain Décor’s showroom is a testament to MAPEI’s innovative products and the expertise of their team. By combining superior products with skilled application, MAPEI helped bring the vision of a sustainable and stylish showroom to life, ensuring that HelloAgain Décor can continue to showcase their antique Italian furniture in a setting that is as impressive as the pieces themselves.