Infloormation

Thanksgiving day is finally here!  We’d like to share just a few stain removal techniques with you.  There’s always the possibility that somebody, even you, may spill something on the carpet.  If this happens, don’t worry, just try one of the below!  Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Pierce Flooring!

Nail Polish Remover – Two types of nail polish removers are available. One type contains acetone, a dry cleaning solvent. Use the same precautions as with other dry cleaning solutions. The second type contains amyl acetate, which is used in many paint, oil, and grease (POG) removers. Many POG removers leave residues that may cause rapid soiling. When using a POG remover, always rinse the area thoroughly with a dry solvent.

Solvent - A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water - Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

When in doubt, call a professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. Carpet and Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846.

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? If not, take a look at these tips for making your holiday more fun and less challenging.

Start with the table. Make a plan for the number of guests you will have, and determine your set-up. Do you have enough chairs? Table space? Are you doing paper or cloth napkins? Will you have a children’s table? Gather everything you will need – linens, plates, glasses, silverware and serving plates or bowls. You could actually set the table or tables a few days ahead of time and have one less worry.

Have you planned your menu? Collect your recipes together and make your shopping list. Be sure to get to the store well before the last-minute crowd. Are there any menu items you can make ahead of time and just warm up on Thanksgiving day? Can you prep some of the food ingredients so you can pull them out of the fridge and add them to your last-minute dishes? Anything you can tackle ahead-of-time makes Thanksgiving morning easier.

Large meals often mean spills. If your dining room has a floor that needs immediate cleaning such as a nice rug, wood or carpet, prepare for accidents. Put together a kit with your preferred cleaning products and a good stack of white cleaning towels. That way you can address any problems quietly and quickly. You may want to keep your cleaning kit intact for future spills.

Finally, make a plan for Thanksgiving morning. Schedule your food preparation and cooking so that everything will be done in time. And take a few extra minutes to enjoy the day with your family and friends.

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For some people, watching a video regarding your new flooring is a must, or it’s just an added bonus. Our website features Flooring Videos for all of our products.  Here, we allow you to watch videos regarding what you should know before you purchase, and how to maintenance your flooring properly.

There are six different types of flooring that we provide these videos for.   They are: 1) Carpet; 2) Hardwood; 3) Ceramic Tile; 4) Natural Stone; 5) Laminate; and 6) Sheet Vinyl.

If you scroll to the bottom of our page, you’ll see the Flooring Videos tab.  Once clicked, you will be directed to a page with all of the different categories.  Here, you can either click on “Before You Buy” or “Maintenance”.  We hope you enjoy this feature.

Thanksgiving is exactly a week away!  We thought we’d share one of our favorite holiday recipes with you for you and your family!  We hope you make this and enjoy the holiday!  Cheers!

Ingredients

Pastry:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Pinch salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small chunks
• 2 tablespoons ice water, plus more if needed
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten

Filling:

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Pinch salt
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Topping:

• 1/2 cup pecans
• 4 ounces frozen cranberries
• 1 (2.3-ounce) package amaretto cookies (about 12) (recommended: Amaretti di Saronno)

Directions

Make the pastry: combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in the ice water and work it in to bind the dough until it holds together without being too wet or sticky. Squeeze a small amount together, if it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 teaspoon at a time. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

Sprinkle the counter and a rolling pin lightly with flour. Roll the dough out into a 10-inch circle. Carefully roll the dough up onto the pin and lay it inside a 9-inch pie pan. Press the dough firmly into the bottom and sides so it fits tightly. Trim the excess dough around the rim and pinch the edges to form a border. Place the crust on a sheet pan to catch any spills. Refrigerate until ready to fill.

Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Filling: Puree the pumpkin in a food processor with the butter and a pinch of salt. Measure 1 1/2 cups puree into a bowl. In another bowl beat the eggs and sugar until the sugar has melted. Add the eggs to the pumpkin puree and whisk well. Add the cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg and stir well to combine. Pour the mixture into the pie shell, and place on the bottom rack of the oven. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg white. Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and bake until the pie is set but still jiggles slightly, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool.

Meanwhile, put the pecans on a baking sheet and bake them with the pie for about 10 minutes to toast them. Remove them from the oven and let them cool. Thaw the cranberries in a strainer set over a bowl to catch the liquid. Put the cookies, pecans, and cranberries into a food processor and pulse them a few times until they are coarsely chopped. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cooled pie and serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers.

Have you ever wanted an extremely feminine space; where you can enjoy being a woman, feel inspired and proud to have a sensitive side? Most people fear that if they decorate a room completely feminine; it will end up looking like their grandmothers floral and pink living room. Read along for tips that will ensure a sophisticated, fresh and inspiring room with no boys allowed!

Wall color will be the inspiration for your girly heaven. Select the wall color first, it should be what you consider a feminine color, such as pink, purple, yellow, peach etc. If you prefer a lighter shade of that color, go to the paint store and pick a chip with your favorite color. Pick color chips that have different gradations of a color (lighter to darker). These lighter versions of your true color are the ones you should select. The opposite of this exercise can help you select a more dramatic color. Accent colors selected should be considered sheik yet classic. For example: white, grey, silver or graphite are great choices. Throw in a bit of cozy cream as well.

When considering furnishings look for clean lines. Incorporate straight lines, curvy lines and interesting shapes. Doing so will add variety and interest; steering in the opposite direction of “fussy”. Remember less is more. All selections should be well thought out. Adding just anything because you feel like there is a hole to fill is not the answer. Furniture pieces should have simple clean hardware. Stay away from highly decorative, ornamental pieces.

Textures throughout the room should be soft and neutral. Patterns used should be small and minimal. Opt for chenille and velvets for upholstery. Use cottons and linens for pillows and window treatments. Window dressings should look simplistic and tailored, with obscure to minimal hardware.

Add some modern jewelry to the room. This could be an acrylic or glass lamp. Transparent accessories adapt to any color setting. They also add sparkle. Throw down a neutral cozy rug, higher the pile the better (referring to the fiber/yarn height). A bouquet of flowers will add another feminine detail that shouldn’t be left out. Choose only one type of flower, such as an Orchid or Lilly.

Remember less is more. Using these guidelines you can’t go wrong when decorating a sophisticated and classy room just for you!

Would you like to make your home feel like fall for Thanksgiving? Well, with very little cost and a bit of effort, you can turn your home into an inviting autumn environment.

Start at home by taking a look at what you already have. Do you have any older pieces or antiques that have dark or natural tones? Look for baskets, bowls, or miscelaneous items such as the lantern shown in this photo. Even a stack of old books in time-dulled shades would provide a nice background to your decorating efforts.

Step two is a visit to your local grocery store. Hit the produce section and see if you can find a few pumpkins on sale from Halloween. Add in some gourds – or even better – a selection of fall squash. They come in the same interesting variety as gourds, and can be roasted after Thanksgiving for a tasty and nutritious side dish. Indian corn, some nuts in the original shells, and you have the makings of an interesting fall display.

The final step is into your yard. Any fall leaves – gold, red or brown – will dry to a soft variety of fall colors when pressed in a book for a few days. Scatter these on the table or pile into a bowl or plate to add some personality to your fall decorating. Dried grasses and berries, pine cones and acorns, all add to the mood.

Experiment with different combinations and locations until you have a look that works for you. This is a great way to make your home Thanksgiving-ready.

Earlier this week, we posted a post outlining how our Virtual Room Designer works. Another favorite tool on the Pierce Flooring website is our  gallery of product images.

In the gallery of product images you can view room scenes highlighting:

• Carpet
• Hardwood
• Laminate
• Stone
• Tile
• Vinyl
• Area Rugs

These room scenes can be particularly helpful when trying to decide between different floor products, trying to determine your style and in general, trying to get a feel for how particular products will look in different room scenes.

If you are beginning to shop for new floors, browse our gallery of floors to start getting ideas. Make some notes on what appeals to you and what doesn’t. Believe it or not, you and others can learn just as much about what you want by acknowledging what you don’t like! When you are ready to take the next step, play in our Virtual Room Designer. Once you are there, you will see that on our website, you can even upload a picture of a room in your home to try on different floors and walls.

Are you ready for new floors, but have no idea where to start? If you aren’t ready to come in to see us quite yet, there are lots of tool on the Pierce Flooring Website that can help you – but today we want to tell you about the one that’s the most fun. It’s called The Virtual Room Designer.

On the Virtual Room Designer you can choose your room type and then within that room you can “try on” different floors, walls, countertops and in some rooms you can even try on area rugs.

To get started, click on the Virtual Room Designer image below and HAVE FUN!