Text Search

Palett's text search combines natural language processing with traditional filtering to help you find materials quickly and accurately.

Basic Search

Opening Search

There are multiple ways to search:

• Search Bar: Click the search bar at the top of any page
• Keyboard Shortcut: Press ⌘K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows)
• Focus Shortcut: Press / to jump to the search bar
• AI Chat: Ask the AI assistant to search for you

Natural Language Queries

You don't need exact keywords. Palett understands how designers think:

Good queries:

• "Sustainable wood flooring for modern kitchen under $8/sq ft"
• "Textured wallpaper in warm earth tones for hospitality"
• "Pet-friendly rugs with high durability rating"
• "Acoustic tiles with good NRC rating for open office"
• "Matte black bathroom fixtures under $200"

What makes these effective:

• ✅ Descriptive attributes (sustainable, textured, pet-friendly)
• ✅ Use cases (kitchen, hospitality, office)
• ✅ Specific constraints (price, durability, ratings)
• ✅ Style keywords (modern, warm, matte black)

Search Scopes

Palett searches different material sources:

1. Palett Library (default): Our curated 340,000+ materials from 70+ vendors
2. Web Products: Materials from across the internet (broader, less curated)
3. My Materials: Only materials you've uploaded or saved

Toggle between scopes using the dropdown in the search bar.

Pro Tip: Start with Palett Library for quality and specifications, then expand to Web Products if you need more options.

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Advanced Filtering

Applying Filters

Filters help narrow results to exactly what you need.

Available Filters:

1. Category

   • Wall Finishes (96,000+ options)
   • Lighting (54,000+ options)
   • Rugs, Textiles, Carpet (34,000+ each)
   • Tile, Flooring, Architectural Hardware
   • Kitchen & Bath Fixtures
   • And more...

2. Vendor

   • WAC Lighting, Loloi, FilzFelt, Interface
   • Schumacher, RBW, Kravet, Carnegie Fabrics
   • 70+ total vendors
   • Multi-select to compare across brands

3. Price Range

   • Set min/max price per unit
   • Automatically filters by availability

4. Material Type

   • Wood, Metal, Fabric, Stone, Glass, etc.
   • Subcategories (e.g., "Solid Wood", "Engineered Wood")

5. Lead Time

   • Ships in 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, or longer
   • Filter by availability for rush projects

6. Certifications

   • LEED certified, FSC certified, Greenguard Gold
   • Sustainable, recyclable, low-VOC

Filter Combinations

Combine filters for precise results:

Example: Eco-Friendly Office Project

• Category: Carpet
• Certifications: LEED + Low-VOC
• Lead Time: Ships in 2 weeks
• Price: $30-60/sq yd

Example: Luxury Residential Lighting

• Category: Lighting
• Vendors: WAC Lighting, RBW
• Material: Brass or Bronze
• Price: $500-2000

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Search Tips & Tricks

1. Start Broad, Then Narrow

Bad approach: "Interface carpet tile 24x24 gray commercial grade under $35"

Better approach:

1. Start: "commercial carpet tiles"
2. Add filters: Vendor → Interface
3. Refine: Size → 24x24, Color → Gray
4. Finalize: Price → $25-40

This lets you see what's available before over-constraining.

2. Use Synonyms

Palett understands design vocabulary:

• "Faucet" = "Fixture" = "Tap"
• "Rug" = "Carpet" = "Area Rug"
• "Pendant" = "Hanging Light" = "Suspended Fixture"
• "Backsplash" = "Wall Tile"

Don't worry about exact terminology!

3. Specify Use Cases

Including the space helps filter inappropriate materials:

• "Kitchen backsplash tile" (excludes floor-only tiles)
• "Outdoor fabric" (filters for weather resistance)
• "High-traffic flooring" (prioritizes durability ratings)

4. Describe Style & Aesthetic

Palett recognizes style keywords:

• Modern, Contemporary, Traditional, Transitional
• Industrial, Mid-Century, Coastal, Farmhouse
• Minimalist, Maximalist, Scandinavian, Bohemian
• Luxe, Budget-Friendly, Eco-Conscious

Example: "Mid-century modern pendant lights with brass finish"

5. Mention Performance Requirements

Include technical specs when relevant:

• "Acoustic panels with NRC rating above 0.8"
• "Tile with slip-resistance rating R11 or higher"
• "Fabric with Wyzenbeek rating 50,000+ double rubs"
• "Flooring with warranty over 15 years"

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Search Results

Understanding Results

Each result shows:

• Material Image: High-resolution product photo
• Name & Vendor: Product name and manufacturer
• Category: Material type and subcategory
• Price: Per unit pricing (when available)
• Specifications: Key details (dimensions, material, finish, lead time)

Interacting with Results

Quick actions:

1. View Details: Click any material to see full specifications
2. Add to Board: Hover → Click board icon → Select destination
3. Save to Library: Bookmark icon to save for later
4. Compare: Select multiple (checkbox) → Click "Compare"
5. Ask AI: Click "Ask about this" to query the AI assistant

Sorting Results

Sort by:

• Relevance (default): Best match to your query
• Price: Low to High: Budget-conscious projects
• Price: High to Low: Luxury specifications
• Newest First: Recently added materials
• Vendor A-Z: Group by manufacturer

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Search Strategies by Project Type

Residential Projects

Strategy: Balance aesthetics with durability and budget

Example queries:

• "Durable luxury vinyl plank flooring that looks like oak"
• "Soft area rugs with stain resistance for family room"
• "Energy-efficient recessed lighting for living room"

Key filters: Price range, lead time, warranty

Commercial Projects

Strategy: Prioritize performance specs and certifications

Example queries:

• "Commercial-grade carpet tile with LEED certification"
• "High-traffic flooring with 20-year warranty"
• "Acoustic ceiling tiles for open office under $5/sq ft"

Key filters: Certifications, durability ratings, compliance codes

Hospitality Projects

Strategy: Focus on aesthetics, durability, and maintenance

Example queries:

• "Statement lighting for hotel lobby with 10-foot ceilings"
• "Stain-resistant upholstery fabric in jewel tones"
• "Porcelain tile that looks like marble for high-traffic areas"

Key filters: Cleanability, wear ratings, visual impact

Sustainable Projects

Strategy: Prioritize eco-friendly materials and certifications

Example queries:

• "FSC-certified wood flooring with low-VOC finish"
• "Recycled content carpet with Cradle to Cradle certification"
• "Rapidly renewable materials for wall finishes"

Key filters: Certifications (LEED, FSC, Greenguard), recycled content

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Troubleshooting

No Results Found

If you're getting zero results:

1. Remove filters: Clear filters one by one to see what's over-constraining
2. Broaden your query: Try fewer specific terms
3. Check spelling: Typos can affect results
4. Try synonyms: "Faucet" vs "Fixture" vs "Tap"
5. Switch scope: Try "Web Products" for broader results

Too Many Results

If you're overwhelmed:

1. Add filters: Category, vendor, or price range
2. Be more specific: "Pendant light" → "Mid-century brass pendant light"
3. Use advanced attributes: Add style, material type, or use case
4. Sort differently: Try sorting by price or vendor

Results Don't Match Intent

If results seem off:

1. Rephrase your query: Try describing differently
2. Use quotes: Put exact phrases in quotes: "brushed nickel"
3. Include negatives: "wood flooring not laminate"
4. Try visual search: Upload an image instead (see Visual Search)

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Related Topics

• Visual Search: Find materials by uploading images
• Search Types: Understanding Palett Library vs Web vs My Materials
• Browse by Vendor: Explore specific brand catalogs
• AI Chat: Use conversational AI to search and refine

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Keyboard Shortcuts

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Need help? Chat with us (bottom right) or email support@palett.space.