LOOKING FOR SOME FREE INSPIRATION

If you're looking for interior design inspiration and helpful tips for your home you'll love Beautiful Design. Made Simple.

We thought you would be interested in our new digital magazine.  This digital home decor and style magazine full of useful ideas, information and inspiration is available now for your iPad.

Interesting articles from stylists, exclusive videos from design experts, product guides and decor tips all make this quarterly publication an amazing resource that inspires and inform the ever evolving design of your home.

Cinderella Carpet One is proud to offer you this publication FREE of charge, so check out the latest issue by visiting the Beautiful Design.  Made Simple. page on the Apple App store and subscribe today.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO CHOOSE A FLOORCOVERING STORE

One of the most popular and cost effective home improvements that you can do is installing new flooring.  Not only does new flooring update your home it also increases the value of the property. 

When choosing a flooring store to purchase your new floocovering there a few things you need to know:

A good place to start when choosing a reputable flooring store is by looking through the Internet.  With numerous options in your local area it makes it simple to narrow down your options.  Look at the quality of the stores website and the products they offer.  The dynamics of a store’s website will give you a good idea on the type of service and product you can expect.

Another important factor is how many years they have been in business.  The amount of years in business says a lot about its integrity, professionalism and experience.  The best have usually been in business for many years!

It is also recommended you review their testimonials and reviews on Google and Yelp and other social media and business directories.  You can learn a lot about a business by reading what others have to say.  If others have had a good experience it can really help in ultimately making a decision when selecting the store to purchase your new floorcovering.

Choosing a dealer because they have a “cheap price” can be a problem.  Low price can be the bait that attracts you but once you are in the store they try and pressure you into paying much more than the advertised price or install a lower grade carpet than the one you paid for.  Don’t fall for the “bait-and-switch.”

How active is the flooring store on Facebook and Twitter.  Are they actively engaging and updating their Facebook timeline.  Are they posting videos and photos of their products and services?  Social media is a great way to learn about a floorcovering company before choosing which one to work with.

Don’t choose a company based on a single telephone conversation.  To give you an accurate price the dealer needs to know the following:  Kind of flooring, size of the rooms, and any special needs that can affect the installation.  Having an in-home measurement by the store will give the store the information they need to give you an accurate quote.

Finally, when you have narrowed it down to a few flooring stores that you like go in to the store and meet them.  Pay attention to the cleanliness of the store because a well-organized showroom says a lot about a company.  Also, are their sales representatives cordial and cooperative?  The more helpful a company is the better their service will be.

We aren’t here to ring you out and send you on your way.  Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo want to help you choose the best flooring for your home or office.  We’re happy to answer all of your flooring questions, provide you with samples and figure out a flooring solution for almost any budget.  Over the past 64-year of being family owned and operated and in cooperation with the largest buyer of flooring in the world, Carpet One, we have built our reputation on the combination of hometown personal service, outstanding craftsmanship, fair pricing and superior products to all of our customers.

Visit our showroom at 6 Rossi Circle in Salinas and 3510 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo and we will provide you with the quality, service and price you can count on!

Simple Steps to Tackling 6 Common Holiday Stains From Cinderella Carpet One

Holiday time can be hard on a home. Houseguests, parties, cooking and baking combined with a busy schedule often result in spills, stains and frustrations. Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo has compiled 6 common holiday stains along with simple cleaning steps to relieve holiday stress.

Holiday stains don’t have to add stress to an already busy schedule. The keys to handling stains with ease are being prepared and responding quickly,” There are a few basic techniques to learn.

Apply: Wet a clean, white (not printed) paper towel with a cleaning solution. Then dampen the carpet with it. Avoid wetting the carpet through to its backing.

·                 

      Blot: Absorb the excess liquid from the carpet by pressing straight down with a clean, dry, white paper towel. Do not rub. Place a half-inch thick pad of clean, dry, white paper towels with a weight on top and leave overnight if necessary.

·                

            Scrape: Gently scratch the soiled area with the blunt edge of a spoon. Scrape from the outside edge of the spot toward the center.

Putting together a holiday stain “emergency kit” before the holidays begin can also help relieve some stress when accidents happen. A good “emergency kit” should include.

·         White Vinegar

·         Baking Soda

·         Unprinted White Paper Towels

·         Clear Dish Washing Detergent – Mix 1/2 teaspoon detergent with one cup of warm (not hot) water when you need it.

·         A Laundry Pre-soak Solution: Mix 1 teaspoon enzyme laundry detergent with one cup of water before using.

·         A Dry Powder Carpet Cleaner.

·         Dry Cleaning Solvent: Non-oily, non-caustic type sold as spot removal for garments. Caution: May be flammable.

With the techniques and tools ready, a holiday stain is easier to handle. The steps below cover 6 of the most common holiday household stains that occur all over the house.

1. White Glue. Kids’ craft projects make great gifts. When the glue ends up on the floor instead of the project, first scrape or blot up excess spill. Then apply the detergent solution using a damp towel. Blot the stain - don't rub. Next, apply white vinegar (undiluted), using a damp towel and blot again. Apply water with a damp sponge. Blot again and finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

2. Lipstick. In a hurry to get ready for a party, the lipstick gets dropped on the carpet. Start by scraping or blotting up the excess spill. Apply the detergent solution using a damp towel and leave 3-5 minutes. Blot and apply white vinegar (undiluted), using a damp towel. Apply water with damp sponge. Blot again and finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

3. Candle Wax. Candles make any holiday celebration a little more festive. When the wax drips on the carpet, first scrape off excess wax. Cover the stain with brown paper and apply a warm iron until remaining wax is absorbed. Be sure paper is large enough to cover the stained area. Take care never to touch the iron to the carpet as the fiber might melt. Change paper or rotate to clean area and repeat until all material is absorbed.

You can also try scraping the spill and then freezing it with ice cubes. Shatter the frozen wax with a blunt object like the back of a large spoon. Vacuum chips away before they melt.

4. Red Wine. Instead of limiting your guests to clear beverages, be ready with these steps. Blot up excess spill as quickly as possible. Apply the detergent solution using damp towel and leave 3-5 minutes. Blot and apply white vinegar (undiluted), using a damp towel. Blot again. Finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

5. Cooking Oil.  Holiday cooking projects are fun for the whole family. A greasy stain should ruin the fun. First apply a dry cleaning solvent, using a dampened towel.  Blot the stain, as rubbing will embed it further.  Then repeat these steps, first applying a solvent and then blotting.  Lastly, apply water with a dampened towel and blot-finish with a weighted pad of towels.

6. Chocolate. Holiday candies are an indulgent treat but when one gets dropped, it can cause a big mess. First, finish your remaining treat, and then scrape up excess spill. Apply detergent solution using a damp towel and blot. Apply white vinegar (undiluted), using a damp towel, blot and apply water with a damp sponge. Blot and finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

If after the holidays these stain removal tips just won’t take out the stains, come in to our showroom in Salinas or San Luis Obispo and we can find you some new flooring to start out the New Year!

Simple Steps to Tackling 6 Common Holiday Stains

Holiday time can be hard on a home. Houseguests, parties, cooking and baking combined with a busy schedule often result in spills, stains and frustrations. Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo has compiled 6 common holiday stains along with simple cleaning steps to relieve holiday stress.

Holiday stains don’t have to add stress to an already busy schedule. The keys to handling stains with ease are being prepared and responding quickly,” There are a few basic techniques to learn.

Apply: Wet a clean, white (not printed) paper towel with a cleaning solution. Then dampen the carpet with it. Avoid wetting the carpet through to its backing.

·       

      Blot: Absorb the excess liquid from the carpet by pressing straight down with a clean, dry, white paper towel. Do not rub. Place a half-inch thick pad of clean, dry, white paper towels with a weight on top and leave overnight if necessary.

·       

      Scrape: Gently scratch the soiled area with the blunt edge of a spoon. Scrape from the outside edge of the spot toward the center.

Putting together a holiday stain “emergency kit” before the holidays begin can also help relieve some stress when accidents happen. A good “emergency kit” should include.

·       

    White Vinegar

·      Baking Soda

·      Unprinted White Paper Towels

·      Clear Dish Washing Detergent – Mix 1/2 teaspoon detergent with one cup of warm (not hot) water when you need it.

·      A Laundry Pre-soak Solution: Mix 1 teaspoon enzyme laundry detergent with one cup of water before using.

·      A Dry Powder Carpet Cleaner.

·      Dry Cleaning Solvent: Non-oily, non-caustic type sold as spot removal for garments. Caution: May be flammable.

With the techniques and tools ready, a holiday stain is easier to handle. The steps below cover 6 of the most common holiday household stains that occur all over the house.

1. White Glue. Kids’ craft projects make great gifts. When the glue ends up on the floor instead of the project, first scrape or blot up excess spill. Then apply the detergent solution using a damp towel. Blot the stain - don't rub. Next, apply white vinegar (undiluted), using a damp towel and blot again. Apply water with a damp sponge. Blot again and finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

2. Lipstick. In a hurry to get ready for a party, the lipstick gets dropped on the carpet. Start by scraping or blotting up the excess spill. Apply the detergent solution using a damp towel and leave 3-5 minutes. Blot and apply white vinegar (undiluted), using a damp towel. Apply water with damp sponge. Blot again and finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

3. Candle Wax. Candles make any holiday celebration a little more festive. When the wax drips on the carpet, first scrape off excess wax. Cover the stain with brown paper and apply a warm iron until remaining wax is absorbed. Be sure paper is large enough to cover the stained area. Take care never to touch the iron to the carpet as the fiber might melt. Change paper or rotate to clean area and repeat until all material is absorbed.  You can also try scraping the spill and then freezing it with ice cubes. Shatter the frozen wax with a blunt object like the back of a large spoon. Vacuum chips away before they melt.

4. Red Wine. Instead of limiting your guests to clear beverages, be ready with these steps. Blot up excess spill as quickly as possible. Apply the detergent solution using damp towel and leave 3-5 minutes. Blot and apply white vinegar (undiluted), using a damp towel. Blot again. Finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

5. Cooking Oil.  Holiday cooking projects are fun for the whole family. A greasy stain should ruin the fun. First apply a dry cleaning solvent, using a dampened towel.  Blot the stain, as rubbing will embed it further.  Then repeat these steps, first applying a solvent and then blotting.  Lastly, apply water with a dampened towel and blot-finish with a weighted pad of towels.

6. Chocolate. Holiday candies are an indulgent treat but when one gets dropped, it can cause a big mess. First, finish your remaining treat, and then scrape up excess spill. Apply detergent solution using a damp towel and blot. Apply white vinegar (undiluted), using a damp towel, blot and apply water with a damp sponge. Blot and finish by weighing down a half-inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb all the moisture. Leave overnight if necessary.

If after the holidays these stain removal tips just won’t take out the stains, come in to our showroom in Salinas or San LuisObispo and we can find you some new flooring to start out the New Year!

FESTIVE HOLIDAY DÉCOR IDEAS

Looking for new ways to deck the Halls?  Set the mood with these fresh Christmas decorating ideas from Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo.

It’s that time of the year – friends are gathering, family is arriving, the food is cooking, the presents are stacking and you are hosting a highly anticipated holiday event. It’s the one time of the year where everyone clears their schedules and gathers together. 
 Much like interior decorating, we suggest planning your holiday décor in advance. Decorating for the holidays goes beyond just dressing your tree and hanging the lights. It also means setting your holiday table, decorating your entrance and creating a festive atmosphere around your house.  Prepare yourself for the amount of guests, the length of their stay and how many events you’ll be hosting. If you’re not hosting but rather attending, you still want to make your home look and feel festive. The same principles apply to decorating your home day-to-day as they do to decorating your home for the holidays. The most important rule of design is consistency. Allow your holiday décor to reflect a new season and embrace the spirit of the holidays.

Start with a theme. Usually, I would say to stay away from any themed décor however, when it comes to the holidays I say, “Go wild!” Generally there is an excitement when it comes to the holidays and when entertaining I like to bring that excitement out in the small details. For lavish touches, what screams luxury more than glitzy gold or shimmering silver? You can add silver-rimmed wine or champagne glasses accompanied with gold leaf plates at the dinner table. Want to try a new spin on traditional hues? You can incorporate royal jewel tones like emerald green and deep amethyst with silver accents and create your own classic design. You can use one color to make a statement or create a holiday focal point.  However, if it’s fresh and modern décor you’re ready to implement, 
 try black and white highlighted with crystal accessories or gold finishes. Incorporate things that are simple with something somewhat special. It could be your grandmother’s antique china mixed in with modern flatware, or historic family ornaments decorated in new apothecary glass vases. 

When it comes to tabletop décor, a real statement comes from adding volume and height with various vignettes. If you want to leave your dining table strictly for tableware then decorate around the room or on the buffet table. You can add one large centerpiece in the middle and several smaller ones around the room or across the table. While flowers are typically thought of as common centerpieces, we like to add contemporary details to our centerpieces. 
For a less dressy table gather your favorite ornaments in colors that complement your décor, and mix with pine cones or pods into bowls. 

For a stunning mantel display hang a fresh evergreen wreath and then gather items from around your home that coordinate with each other and create a vignette and fill in with fresh holly or white pine.  Add favorite ornaments or safely place candles for a warm glow to complete the display.

Whether it’s Christmas, Chanukah or New Year’s Eve – be sure to deck your halls, dress your mantle, accessorize your tree, and set your tabletop.

Give the gift that’s guaranteed to last a lifetime – A new floor from Cinderella Carpet One.  Merry Christmas from Cinderella Carpet One and remember to shop local this Holiday season and save! 

Finalizing Your Thanksgiving Preparations

Are you finalizing your plans for this year’s Thanksgiving celebration?  Perhaps you’re hosting this year and aren’t exactly sure how to begin the preparation.  Here are a few helpful tips from Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo for all of you Thanksgiving hosts out there to keep the holiday stress-free and smooth sailing.

Remember, you don’t have to do it all.  Let your guests bring their favorite side dish that way, you don’t have to slave away in the It’s nice to have guests share and enjoy their traditional dish at your table – just like the Pilgrims!

Decorations: Make it fun for everyone—have some craft time with the kids where they can create the decorations.  You could do the classic Turkey by tracing their hands and then have them decorate the turkey.  Create a festive atmosphere with these cute Thanksgiving decorations.

Be prepared and plan ahead. Start cooking dishes or prepping them the day before.  This will make Thursday go by much more smoothly and it allows you more freedom to mingle with family and friends.

•Menu in hand, think about what order you need to cook what dish on Thanksgiving Day. Can you make your pies the day before? Your bread? Think it out & if it helps you, write down a "cooking schedule."

•Bake your pies on Wednesday. If you prepared and froze your pie crusts, take them out of the freezer and thaw them first. Cover & refrigerate the finished pies.

•Set the table on Wednesday, if you haven't already. You can cover it with a clean sheet to protect it from dust.

•Make your salad; cut up veggies for a relish tray if you haven't already. If you're making any gelatin molds, make them a day ahead and refrigerate.

•Check your grocery list one last time to make sure you aren't missing anything. Stores are usually closed all or most of the day on Thanksgiving.

Things to do after Thanksgiving Dinner. There’s nothing wrong with just sitting around and talking.  Some may find, though, that the more restless of their relatives may need some activities to get them talking and sharing and opening up. 

•Reinvent “game day”.  Post dinner; fight the tryptophan sleep urge with a round of old-school parlor pursuits – from charades to Old Maid.

•Go for a walk. I know simple, but sometimes we forget the simple things. Is there a child or spouse you have not spent much time with lately in all the flurry of activity? Invite them along and talk about the dinner or the day or even swap Christmas lists or wishes.

•Pick a movie to go see in the theater. This is a great way to unwind after a long week, and face it; the cook probably needs some time off her/his feet!

•Play touch football. I think this activity is even more fun for those of us who are not usually coordinated or sporty. Anyone can toss a football a couple of feet and run and there is little danger of injury if you stick to the “touch not tackle” rule.

It’s Thanksgiving, so enjoy the day with your loved ones because whatever you do, will be time well spent!  Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Cinderella Carpet One.

I bet you didn’t know that Martha Stewart put Cork flooring in her kitchen?

Yes, she did and it was a member of the Carpet One family that was able to help her choose and install her new cork flooring.  Watch a segment of the Martha Stewart Show, as she shares information and tips on cork flooring as a sustainable/green design alternative.

Cork flooring isn’t a new concept.  These floors have been used in the U.S. since the turn of the century.  Recently, the appeal of green or environmentally friendly products has prompted a renewed interest in cork flooring for the home. 

Best For: Traditionally, it’s been used in libraries and churches for noise control but now you see it everywhere.  It is especially good for kitchens, family rooms, living rooms. 

Benefits:

Comfort & Softness:  The air trapped inside the cellular structure of cork provides a natural shock-absorbing feel to the floor.  It’s great for applications where you are standing a lot providing relief for your feet, back and legs.

Beauty:

Cork has a natural beauty rivaled by few other natural materials. It comes in many colors and different manufacturers provide various tile shapes and patterns as well.

Noise Reduction:

The same structure that makes cork so comfortable also reduces noise and vibration.  Unlike hard surfaces like tile and wood, cork is quiet and reduces impact noise.

Healthy and safe:

Cork has natural properties that are anti-allergenic and resistant to insects.  Cork is naturally resistant to rot and fire and it has natural properties that are anti-allergenic and resistant to insects. 

Helping protect the environment is everyone’s business and at Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo we offer products that help make our environment cleaner, greener and healthier.  Visit us today at our showroom at 6 Rossi Circle in Salinas and we will introduce you to our Montado Cork flooring made from a naturally sustainable resource.