This room’s colors and the cohesive design work together so that the space feels integrated. The fabric on the dining chairs is repeated on sofa throw pillows. The material that makes up the base of the dining table also shows up on the small table in the living room.

Flooring choices both connect and separate the space. The wood flooring covers the entire room as well as the entry area, reinforcing the perception of the room as a single space. At the same time, the area rug clearly lays the boundaries for the living area. By choosing a size that encompasses all of the living room furniture, that space is clearly defined without having to use a separation such as a bookshelf or buffet that would take up some of this room’s limited space.

The dining room has several features that define and emphasize that space. The table is the same shape as the available area, and the proportions allow six diners to eat comfortably. The overhead light fixture also says dining room. Finally, the two tall plants create a background for the dining area that is very separate from the living space.

This room provides a good example of making two functional areas stand out in one room. What elements can you borrow to create the same sense of separation in your home?

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Thank you and have a safe and happy holiday!

Putting in an outdoor shower can give you many of the benefits of a pool bath. If you can design some privacy in, people can shower, dry and dress before going into the house. This is a perfect opportunity to install a solar hot water heater. It will provide plenty of heat on warm sunny days when the pool is in demand.

Another option is simple management. Have everyone towel down and stay outside long enough to dry off before coming into the house. If you make sure to have nice patio furniture and cold drinks and maybe even snacks outside, this will not be a burden on family and friends. On warm days, 15 minutes or so will probably be the most that’s needed.

One solution will address the worst of the problem but it’s more than a bit of work. If you place washable rugs or folded towels outside the patio entrance and inside the house for seven or eight feet you will capture most of the drips before they hit your floors. Of course this involves making sure towels and rugs stay dry enough to work and get laundered regularly.

The best way to look at this situation and find solutions is with the help of the whole family. It’s best to talk together to determine what will work best for all of you. After all, you want to make sure that your pool is a source of fun rather than contention.

This type of change can be challenging for both parents and children. It’s important to talk about expectations before such a big transition. Activities such as sorting through possessions and choosing what furniture to bring can be very emotional. Here are a few suggestions to make the transition easier for everyone.

Before your parents move in, conduct a safety check in your house. Look for tripping hazards such as rugs without non-slip pads. Carpeting is the safest flooring for the elderly as it can help cushion falls. If their rooms have a harder surface, consider adding a piece of carpet over the current flooring, cut to the size of the room and professionally bound. This is nice looking, not expensive, and will keep their space safer.

Make sure your parent or parents have a chance to see and measure the space they will move to. This can help keep furniture plans realistic. If possible, it is best if they can have a bedroom large enough for a sitting space, or two rooms – bedroom and sitting room. It would be good to have a television under their control to reduce discussions of different program preferences.

Provide additional storage space for treasured possessions. Despite downsizing, it’s difficult to give up many things that people have valued all their lives. Treasures may not be limited to valuables. They may involve a favorite cast-iron frying pan or set of tools.

Discuss ground rules such as entertaining and noise. This is particularly important if there are still teenagers living at home. It can be a struggle to find solutions that will work for everyone, but it’s worth the effort.

The mood starts with the Gothic arches chosen for the fireplace surround and doorway and demonstrated more vividly with the window.

Though not common, this window style is available from more than one manufacturer and a number of companies have window coverings that will work well for it.

The next design choice that supports the medieval look comes from the slate floor. With its varied texture and color from one piece to the next, it is consistent with the feeling that this room comes from an earlier time. A floor with this much character is not merely a background element but at the very least a strong supporting player for the rest of the décor.

The stone carvings and tapestry on the walls mirrors the medieval. Several catalogs and online stores carry this type of art. Tall candlesticks with candles and greenery also suit the room. The final touch comes from the choice of tapestry-patterned spreads on the upholstered pieces. Is your home your castle? With a few ideas from this space, it can look more like it!

When you decorate for the holidays, don’t simply place your decorations on top of what’s already there. Instead, remove some or all of your everyday accessories. Even if you don’t have enough holiday items to fill all the tables, decorations tend to be shiny and visually strong, so a few bare spaces will look inviting in contrast.

If you are adding a tree to your space, subtract some other piece of furniture to compensate. Don’t let the tree crowd the room. You may also need to rearrange the furniture that’s left to make an effective layout for the holidays.

Is your space small or open? If so, you may want to consider carrying a theme throughout your home to create a sense of coherence. For example in the photo, rustic elements combine with more sophisticated ornaments and candles to develop a clearly defined holiday tableau. The color choices – white and gold – along with wooden wreaths and ivy – provides flexibility that can carry over to other areas. Picture a tree highlighted with white birds and gold ribbon linking the room together.

You know how inviting a store window can look over the holidays. Well, think of your home as one holiday space, and use your design sense to create a special mood for friends and family.

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.

Did you know that nationally, floor covering contributes 2% of the volume in all landfills? Pierce’s concern lies with the contribution of floor covering waste to Montana landfills. As of Oct 1, 2008 Pierce Flooring has committed torecycling carpet and carpet cushion in all 8 locations. We estimate diverting up to 2,000,000 sq. ft. of carpet from local landfills annually. Or, over 1,000,000 lbs of carpet annually.

By EPA estimates, recycling 20,000 lbs of carpet (approximate weight for the contents of one 53’ semi trailer properly loaded) saves the equivalent of 3,000 gallons of fuel. By our estimates, it will take a maximum of 653 gallons of fuel to transport this material. The net effect is a savings of the equivalent impact of 2,347 gallons of fuel for each 20,000 lbs of carpet that is recycled. We will also reduce the impact to our local landfills.

The Pierce green effort also includes reuse. Reuse is possibly the most efficient form of recycling.

We are so proud to announce our latest recycling stats!

To date Pierce has now recycled:

• 2,324,322 sq ft of carpet/cushion or 258,258 sq yds.
• That adds up to:    1,163,913 lbs or 582 tons.
• Roughly that means  100 semi-trailers at 28 ft long.

To learn more about our recycling efforts, please click here.