Infloormation

It happened. Your precious baby is now a tween. Teenager years loom ahead, driver permits, sweet sixteen parties and first loves. Have you taken a good look at your child’s – I mean – tween’s room? Is it perhaps too young, in need of a tween makeover? Here are some suggestions to help make your tween’s room a fabulous retreat.

Girls need a little glam. Use wall decals in a creative way.

Use your tween’s favorite color and whimsical patterns.

Add shelving and a desk. Not only is this a good place for your tween to study, but it also allows them to display their treasures.

Get artistic and paint a mural on the wall. Add accessories in the same theme to complete the look.

Keep your tween’s room current. Pick bright, bold colors and experiment with bold patterns.

Don’t be surprised if you get big hugs for helping your tween makeover their room.  After all, they’re not teenagers yet, whew!

We love our dogs, our cats and other varieties of furry creatures. The only problem is that they shed. Cleaning up pet hair can be a daily task or it should be a daily task as fur can quickly accumulate turning your home into one big hairball.

The best way to prevent the accumulation of pet hair is to vacuum your pets, or have them groomed regularly. There are some great brushes on the market and your groomer also has a few methods of removing hair efficiently.

Be sure to vacuum and dust often and keep your clothes away from where pet hair accumulates. Wash throw rugs and blankets that pets have contact with.

If removing hair from a low pile carpet, barely dampen a regular kitchen sponge. Rub the carpet with the sponge. The pet hair will ball up and you can pick the clumps off by hand.

Fabric softener sheets make the best dusters. They pick up pet hair really well.

Rub a balloon along the surface of your carpet. The static this creates will pick up the pet hair. Putting on a pair of rubber gloves and rubbing them on the carpet will do the same thing.

Use a rubber broom or a squeegee and push it along the floor. The rubber will pull up the pet hair and make it easier to vacuum.

At the end of the day, pets shed. But the love, laughter and joy they bring to our lives make it worth the extra cleaning effort.

The classic subway tile is a two by three inch tile, usually white, done in a running bond or brick pattern. It’s a classic because it is a timeless combination of shape and pattern.  While subway tiles are so named because of their use on the walls, the same pattern can be used on floors. This kitchen is a great example of over-scale subway tiles on the floor laid out in a running bond pattern.

Subway tiles can be found in every style of home from Victorian to Contemporary.  Their rectangular shape can be set in a running bond or brick pattern or for a more contemporary look, a straight bond pattern where the tiles are set in a grid.  For walls, the tiles can be laid out vertically in either a straight or running bond pattern for a new twist on an old pattern.

For floors, larger tiles like the ones in this kitchen make the most sense. Traditional sized subway tiles would create far too many grout lines, which would be a cleaning nightmare on the floor. In a bathroom, a larger subway tile on the floor can play off of the traditional size on the wall and shower. The pattern can be laid out in either vertical or horizontal rows on the floor.  Horizontal rows will make the room feel wider; vertical rows will make the room feel longer.

Subway inspired tiles can give a whole new look depending on where you use them, the size of the tile and the pattern you chose to install them.

Do you have a beige bedroom? One of those neutral rooms that is guaranteed to sell your house but so boring you want to cry? Let’s spice things up by adding some color.

Use a pillow as an inspiration for a vibrant wall.

Hang curtains behind your bed for some drama.

Dark chocolate walls and stripes? Yes, this one is a DO.

An unexpected pop of color on the ceiling takes this bedroom from traditional to modern.

Choose a deep red color and add accessories in the same shade.

Yes you can have gray walls, but be sure to add some great accent pieces and make this color combination pop!

Now you have some inspiration to take that bedroom from drab to fabulous!

There is no easier way to change a room quickly than by putting down an area rug. While some designers actually suggest picking your rug first and then choosing your furniture, not all of us have that option.

Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind while shopping for your carpet. If you have a family and pets, be sure to choose your color and material carefully. Wool rugs with a pattern are best to hide the signs of your active household. Area rugs should not cover an entire room. Be sure you keep at least a 12-inch border. Likewise all furniture does not need to be placed directly on the rug. Position just the front legs of your chairs and sofas to help anchor the carpet. Be daring and unexpected.

If you have a monochromatic room use a rug with a vibrant pattern or color as a visual surprise. Area rugs come in all sizes and shapes. Use the shape of the room as well as the shape of your furniture to help choose which rug would look best. Use round rugs under round tables, rectangular rugs for long tables and hexagonal rugs with square tables.

If you have a long narrow room, choose a long, narrow rug. Area rugs define space. If you have a very large room don’t be afraid to use two rugs. Just be sure that they complement each other.

If you have a very colorful or busy room (think patterns) a neutral area rug is best as it can tone down and bring unity to the space. Always use a non-skid pad under your area rugs. Pads should measure 2 inches smaller than the rug so that it won’t peek out but still allow your rug ends to lay flat. Excited to go rug shopping now? We have rugs to fit every decor.

There is nothing more elegant that walking into an amazing foyer or entryway.  An entry way is a perfect place to showcase fabulous design and a little drama. Remember that your entryway begins outside, before anyone enters your home. Consider replacing concrete sidewalks with tiled walkways. Good outdoor options include brick, slate or travertine.

Once you enter the home create a custom mosaic on your floor for personalization. Add a monogram, or just decorative tile. Remember that your entry way is your house’s way of saying welcome home.  Wide maple plank flooring or beautiful area rugs are also good ideas.

Whether you live in an opulent loft or a modest ranch, making a beautiful first impression goes a long way in making a design statement. If you have a large entryway be sure to use furniture large enough to fill the space. If you have a smaller entryway mirrors help make a tight hall space feel larger.

Among the other areas to consider showcasing in the foyer are the walls, ceilings and lighting. If you like color, using bright colors or wallpaper can create a fun transitional space. Don’t forget about your ceilings  – your fifth wall. A faux painting finish can make an average entryway more intriguing. If you have a two-story foyer hang a two or three level chandelier. Always make sure your lighting fixtures match your stair railings.

Remember your foyer is the prologue to the rest of your house. Start by making a great first impression.

Safaris, exotic animals, white tents and tea in the afternoon. Where are you? Why in Africa of course. What on earth does Africa have to do with flooring? At Pierce we are happy to present our product of the week: the Armstrong Global Exotics Hard Wood collection.

Rich, inviting hardwood floors are not only beautiful to live with, they’re easy to care for as well. Plus, today, hardwood types, options and applications are more diverse and delightful than ever.

The Global Exotics line is no exception. With names like African Mahogany, Tigerwood Natural and Lapacho, Global Exotics hardwoods are distinguished by their origin, color and sophisticated grain.

This line of hardwood will give any room in your home an elegant look. Designed to be durable, this flooring line will not only add an aura of sophistication but will also add quality and value to your home. From soft and subtle colors to vibrant and dark tones, you will find the perfect option for whatever your decorating style.

View the product catalog and rooms featuring  Global Exotics floors.

Pierce is proud to offer this line of flooring as the Armstrong brand is known and trusted for reliable quality, and an expansive offering of colors and designs to meet the personal style of all customers.

Once you browse the on-line catalog, please contact us to make an appointment for an in-home estimate.

Each Christmas as you tidy away the decorations you may take a look at your now “empty looking” home and decide that this is the year to spruce up the place a bit. We say, embrace change in 2012. We have a variety of resources to help you start thinking and planning for your home improvement projects.

What are your biggest goals this year? Do you want to replace all your carpet, update the kitchen or redo your master bath?

Have you thought about getting trendy in 2012? Did you know color palettes are changing? Indigo is the new “black”. Dimensional wallpaper, lighter floor finishes, and colorful, bold patterned furniture are also “in”. Peacock patterns, antiques, chandeliers, animal prints and high beds are also popular.

Don’t feel as though everything in your home has to match. Do you like a headboard that doesn’t match your nightstands and dressers? That’s ok.

Look for one-of-a-kind pieces from local artisans. There’s nothing like having a beautiful centerpiece in your home that no one else can duplicate.

Make small changes like adding a backsplash to your kitchen or add a glass tile mosaic in your bathroom. These seemingly easy projects can make an old room look new.

Wallpaper is back. It goes way beyond what you can do with paint. Powder rooms are a great place to use this idea. Create a jewel box effect by using a larger pattern. It’s fun to go big and bold in small spaces.

We’re here to help you. Our in house designers can help create “your look”.  And with our free in-home estimates, virtual design center and on-line financing we can make your project as easy and effortless as possible.

Wood finishes are getting lighter, did you know? Then isn’t it opportune that we have a light colored wood as one of our in-stock specials. Visit our website to see the Blue Sky Ash hardwood that is on sale for $4.99 a square foot.

Why hardwood, you ask? The elegant look of a hardwood floor can add warmth and character to any room. In fact, the natural characteristics of wood add depth and a visual appearance that many other types of floors can only try to duplicate.

Rich, inviting hardwood floors are not only beautiful to live with, they’re easy to care for, and can add value to your home at resale time.

Not sure about light colored floors. No worries. Check out these rooms from our Virtual Room Designer feature on our website.

Or look at this.

Have questions? Please contact us. We are here to help you figure out the best hardwood alternative for your home.

Each of us has a style of our own. Whether you love black, white and sparkle, cool tones and unfussiness or warm and rustic it is imperative to understand your personal style before you begin a decorating project at home. Here a few rooms to help you determine which style you are.

If you choose this room you like urban chic. You hate clutter, or at least you want your countertops to look bare and clean. View other urban chic rooms here to get more decorating ideas.

If you choose this room you love stately elegance. Your style is orderly, conservative and formal. View other stately elegant rooms here.

If you choose this room you love Rustic Reflections. Based in the arts and crafts movement, sophisticated Southwestern influences and mountain living, this style demonstrates true craftsmanship, simple design and the loving, organic combination of home, hearth and nature.  View other Rustic rooms here.

If you choose this room you love Seaside Simplicity. Seaside Simplicity is a light, easy-going lifestyle, think Tommy Bahama. View other Seaside Simplicity rooms here.

If you choose this room you love Italian Impressions. You crave objects aged and worn, rooms of heavy woods and wrought iron. View other Italian Impressions rooms here.

At Pierce Flooring we can help you design any room in your house in your own personal style. Our design center will help you get started.