Nylon clearly holds the top spot as the most popular fiber for high-performing carpet, but did you know that olefin (also called polypropylene) actually accounts for nearly 80% of business carpet sold? In a tough economy, and at around a 20% lower cost than a similarly constructed nylon, olefin carpets are now being considered much […]

Protecting your new carpet shouldn’t be a chore. Just a few practices can keep your carpet looking good. First, review the carpet manufacturer’s warranty for their requirements. Some manufacturers now require periodic professional steam extraction to keep their warranty in force. Entryways, according to studies, are the primary source of soil entering your home. Since […]

Two questions have to be asked before you clean your carpets. The first is whether to use steam or dry cleaning? The second is whether you do it yourself? When it is done properly, steam cleaning is likely the best choice—and the one most often recommended by carpet manufacturers. “Done properly” means that the water […]

The first blog in this series covered creating warmth in a room by adding soft surfaces. In this post, let’s take a look at how to sharpen up a space with too many soft surfaces. Traditional styles lend themselves to soft surfaces. Carpeting provides a good look for a traditional approach to decorating. Often rooms […]

Many people find it difficult to take their rooms from “fine” to “designed.” This is often because we love one color, type of surface, or look and don’t build in enough contrast. Drama comes from the shift from light to dark, soft to hard, and the juxtaposition of various textures and colors. Let’s look at […]

Reader Question: I have a small half-bath downstairs that has no windows for natural light. How do I decorate this to make the space inviting? Answer: A bathroom like this may seem like a challenge. In reality, it provides a unique opportunity to be creative and daring in your decorating. The small size allows you […]

When you’re ready to select a wood floor, do you find yourself concerned with whether your choice is environmentally responsible? Well, fortunately there is a simple way to determine that. Look for flooring with the Forest Stewardship Council certification; An international, not-for-profit organization, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was created to protect the world’s forests […]

The Four Seasons of Decorating: Winter In the cold weather, a warm winter room makes the season more inviting and enjoyable. After a day of cold and snow, you can escape to a room that makes the best of winter. With a winter space, think warmth and coziness. The perfect flooring for winter is rich, […]

The Four Seasons of Decorating: Fall What do you love about fall? Is it the cooler days? The rich colors of fall leaves? The sense of harvest, of completion of the summer’s efforts? Or maybe you’re just glad to get the kids back into school! Make a room feel like fall all year round with […]

The Four Seasons of Decorating: Spring When you’re planning your home’s décor, one interesting way of looking at each space is to echo one of the four seasons. Every season has its own personality, and there are so many possibilities for bringing a season into a room. We’ve talked about Summer, now let’s talk about […]

The Four Seasons of Decorating: Spring When you’re planning your home’s décor, one interesting way of looking at each space is to echo one of the four seasons. Every season has its own personality, and there are so many possibilities for bringing a season into a room. We’ve talked about Summer, now let’s talk about […]

Summer brings childhood memories home more than any other season. Whether you spent your summers on the beach, on a farm, or in the city, you can grab those memories and the feeling of summer and create a room that reflects the best of the season. Summer is all about living outside, and tile is […]