CINDERELLA CARPET ONE WANTS YOUR CARPET INSTALLATION TO GO SMOOTHLY…

Although carpet is not the best floor covering for some situations, in living rooms, bedrooms, and many other places, its cushiony feeling underfoot truly adds that extra touch of comfort that other flooring simply cannot match.

Before or after your carpet purchase Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo urge you to follow these tips to ensure your new floor looks perfect and beautiful at the end of the installation.

COLOR AND PATTERN MATCHING

There will be some variation in shade or characteristic between the samples you chose and the product actually installed in your home.  However, the difference will be within the manufacturer's tolerance specifications. In most homes the walls are not square, making it impossible for the pattern on the flooring material to be parallel to every wall. For material with a pattern, it is the homeowner's responsibility to communicate to the installer which wall they would like to have the pattern run parallel to.  Otherwise, the installers will use their best judgment.

If you have a preference for the direction of the pattern on the carpet, please discuss it with your sales professional at the time of purchase.

STAIRS

In some instances we may not be able to match the pattern of the carpet on the stairs with the area next to it, or may require extra carpet to do so. We will be glad to discuss alternative options with you.

SEAMS

Seams are inevitable. Our installers will do the best they can, but you may still be able to see some seams, depending upon the placement of the seam and the type of carpet.

If you prefer a seam placement in any particular area of the room, please discuss this with your sales professional. Otherwise, we will determine the best area for seam placement.

LEFTOVER CARPET

Carpet is manufactured in standard widths and must all be installed in the same direction, which can lead to leftover pieces. If desired, the installers can leave smaller remnants for your use.

Preparing for Installation

Make sure you take all the necessary steps to prepare for the installation of your new carpet.  It will make the process much more bearable and perhaps even move it along more quickly.

It’s important you are prepared to have the carpet installed so there will be as little inconvenience to your family as possible

Get all items off the floor – while carpet installers might move furniture, that doesn’t mean they are going to move your shoes or clothing that happen to be on the floor.  All items will have to be off the floor in order to proceed with the installation.

Figure out where the furniture in the room to be carpeted will be moved.  It is best if you can store the furniture in an adjacent room.

Personally remove all valuables.  You should move all items of value yourself and put them in a safe place.

Determine how long the installation will last.  If the carpet can’t be installed in a day, make sure you will have access to all items you need such as toiletries and medications.

Put up your pets.  Installing carpet is quite noisy and there are lots of large items, which must be carried such as the carpet itself.  This can be unnerving to some animals.  Find an alternate place for your pets during the installation.

Preparing properly for the task will give you beautiful results that will also stand the test of time. It takes just a little bit of effort, but creates results that will last.

AFTER INSTALLATION

Post Installation Inspection

After installation, be sure to thoroughly examine the job with your installer to ensure your satisfaction before they leave your home.

Clean Up

After the installation, the installers will remove all waste from flooring and other installation related trash on the site.  You will be responsible for cleaning or vacuuming to remove any dirt or dust that may remain. The removal of your existing floor and installation of you new floor covering will create some dust that cannot be avoided.  We recommend a through cleaning after installation is completed.

At Cinderella Carpet One our Certified In-house Professional Installation is always available!

The art of seaming and properly stretching wall-to-wall carpet is a combination of experience and talent. The seam layout is just as critical. Since wall-to-wall became fashionable and affordable in the early 1960's, Cinderella Carpet One has been at the forefront of development and implementation of the installation techniques as the product and technology have evolved.

Contact us today in Salinas or San Luis Obispo and let us help you find the flooring that’s right for you.  Whatever you are dreaming of or whatever you envision; Cinderella has the expertise, knowledge, and experience necessary to help you create it.

  

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARPET COLORS FOR YOUR HOME!

Carpeting can be the most expensive item in a home décor budget, so choosing the right color becomes a major consideration. After all, you’re going to have to live with your choice for quite some time.  With over 450 different flooring choices and every color of the rainbow Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo can help you find what you are looking for.

Before you randomly select your favorite color, ask yourself some pertinent questions: How big is the room you wish to carpet? Do you want it to feel larger or smaller? What kind of ambiance do you want to create? Do you want to create warmth? Do you want a sense of connection with the adjacent room, or a sense of separation? Do you wish to draw attention to your furnishings and accessories or underplay them?

The following tips may help you choose the right carpet for your home:

·      Traffic: High activity leads to more spills, stains and tracked-in dirt. A lighter carpet, even some treated with stain-resistant solutions, will eventually reveal this wear and tear. For rooms that have excessive sunlight, you will need to also think about fading, a problem that is more obvious with dark carpets.

·      Room size: Lighter colors tend to make rooms feel large, while darker colors make rooms appear smaller.

·      Ambiance: To make the room feel warmer, choose a color on the spectrum from yellow-orange to a bluish red. To make the room feel cooler, choose any color from blue to yellow-green. Remember to consider climate: Northern and Eastern exposures are complemented by warm colors, Southern and Western exposures by cool colors.

·      Personality: Casual, more-relaxed people tend to favor the warmer colors and earth tones. Detail-oriented people most often prefer blues, blacks, whites, grays and jewel tones.

·      Furnishings: If your furnishings are dynamic and interesting, draw attention to them by muted the background walls and carpet by using neutral or dulled colors. If the furnishings are drab, emphasize the flooring with a patterned, or bold-colored carpet.

·      Continuity: One continuous floor covering will link adjacent rooms, making them flow into one another. A different carpet color will serve to separate the rooms visually.

     Popularity: Remember that trends change, even among the popular colors for floor coverings, but they run 1-2 years behind those of the fashion industry.

I   In the end, it's all a matter of choice and personal taste, and it's up to you to choose exactly what you want.  Do your homework and let your personal style shine through at Cinderella Carpet One.

CINDERELLA CARPET ONE IN SALINAS WISHES YOU A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the USA.  Founded July 4^th 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America is celebrating its 236^th birthday this year.  The 4^th is a time for the Red White and Blue.  A time for picnics, parades and marching bands.  A time for beaches, BBQs and “Bombs Bursting in Air.  So pour yourself a soda, put another “shrimp on the Barbie,” and join Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo for a birthday celebration with fun holiday activities for you and your family.

Did you know….

That Americans spent more than $4.7 million on American flags in 2011?

And did you know that the vast majority of those flags --$4.3 million worth – were made in China?

Did you know….

There are nine places named “freedom,” including the most populace city on the list:  Freedom, California (population 6,000 residents)?

Did you know….

That more than 270 million Americans visit a national park every year?

The first national park was Yellowstone, designated as such in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant.  Today, there are over 400 national parks, covering more than 84 million acres from Maine to California.  Visiting one of these 400 parks is a great way to experience a true taste of America’s vast beauty.

Did you know….

That America’s second president John Adams was the first to light the fireworks spark for Independence Day when he said the holiday ought to be celebrated with parades and parties – and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other.  Nothing says 4^th of July like fireworks.

Did you know…

That the original Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Christian socialist, Francis Bellamy?

The original version did not include the words “under God”.  They were added in the 1950s after the Knights of Columbus successfully campaigned to Congress.  Bellamy’s granddaughter said he would have resented the change.

Cinderella Carpet One would like to wish each of you a very safe and happy 4^th of July.  Take time to reflect on the freedoms that we enjoy, and the price that was paid by so many so that we could enjoy those freedoms.

CARPET CUSHION: TO PROTECT AND SERVE

Carpet Cushion – also known as padding– is the important, hard working and often overlooked component of your carpet.  It’s important to know that not all carpet performs the same and not all carpet cushion does either.  Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo can help you purchase the cushion that works best with your carpet.

Carpet cushion does more than cushion your carpet when you walk on it – it also serves a variety of purposes.

-                Acts as a buffer between the carpet and the subfloor, allowing fibers to bounce back and retain their appearance

-                Feels better underfoot

-                Keeps most common household spills from penetrating the cushion or subfloor

-                Extends the life of your carpet as well as adding to its luxurious feel.

-                Protects your carpet investment

-                Makes a less expensive carpet feel more luxurious

-                Absorbs sounds and reduces noise

-                A pad makes cleaning your carpet more efficient.

-                It provides thermal insulation.  It stops the drafts that can seep through some porous carpeting.

Many carpet cushions today have extra features worth the money, such as STAINMASTER^® carpet cushion which is available with Odor Guard technology which helps to reduce odors caused by most common household spills and pet accidents.  It is also available with antimicrobial treatment, which helps to resist bacteria, mould and mildew in the padding.

It is also important to never install a new carpet over old carpet cushion or over the old carpet and cushion.  If your carpet needs replacing, so does the carpet cushion.

How much padding to too much?  Although it’s a good idea to buy good quality padding, you don’t want to go overboard.  Cinderella Carpet One notes that carpet padding should not exceed 7/16”.  Excessively thick padding can void the manufacturer’s warranty for your carpet, because it can cause carpet to wear faster than it should. 

Additionally, always check to see if your cushion has received the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval.

So, when choosing a carpet it is very important to choose a carpet that will perform the way that you expect it to but it is also important to choose a padding that properly supports the carpet that you purchase.  Our sales associates at Cinderella can help you make the right choice.  Contact us today for your FREE In-Home Consultation or come by our showroom at 6 Rossi Circle in Salinas.

A YUMMY RECIPE TO GO WITH THAT NEW KITCHEN FLOOR FROM CINDERELLA CARPET ONE IN SALINAS!

If you’re thinking about getting new flooring in your kitchen you need to come to Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas or San Luis Obispo. And, after you have that new floor installed by our installation experts, you should know that pretty soon you’ll be looking for reasons to spend more time in your new kitchen. What better reason than to try out a new recipe? Here’s one of our favorites, courtesy of goddessofscrumptiousness

Spaghetti in Garlic Gravy with Herbs and Lemon Marinated Chicken and Cherry Tomatoes

This pasta recipe I came up spontaneously. And cooked this dish 30 minutes right after I conceptualized and imagined how the taste would be.

I just thought that lemon (juice and zest), thyme, rosemary, extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper to marinate and flavor the chicken chunks would already make the meat so delish. I had a tray of cherry tomatoes in the chiller and the sauce… I figured that it would be wonderful if I can taste some chickeny goodness in the pasta itself, so I decided that instead of making a proper pasta sauce I’ll make a gravy (make that as the sauce), flavor it with a tiny hint of basil and some big savory punch of garlic.

Ingredients:

500 grams spaghetti pasta (cooked al dente)

1 pound chicken breast fillets (skinless and boneless, sliced into 1 inch chunks)

For the chicken marinade:

2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped

2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (if using dried, use half of the amount)

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of ½ a lemon

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon coarse salt (not table salt)

½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (to sauté the marinated chicken)

-  Add all the marinade ingredients into the chicken and marinate for 20 minutes (if making this dish in pronto) or over night (if making this dish the next day… much better).

-  Saute the marinated chicken in extra virgin olive oil until cooked (about 4-5 minutes) then set aside.

For the garlic gravy:

½ stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

4 large cloves garlic, finely minced

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 ½ cups chicken stock

1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

¼ cup parsley, chopped (to sprinkle/finish the pasta)

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

2 cups whole cherry tomatoes

-  Place sauté pan over medium heat and add butter and olive oil.

-  Saute garlic until fragrant and soft.

-  Add the flour and cook for a minute.

-  Add chicken stock and simmer gravy until thickened then add the chopped basil.

-  Season with salt and pepper.

-  Add the sauteed chicken in the gravy then toss the cooked spaghetti into this sauce.

-  Add the cherry tomatoes and finish the dish with the chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese (serve extra on the side).

Makes 5-6 servings.

FACTORS TO THINK ABOUT PRIOR TO CHOOSING FLOOR COVERINGS FOR YOUR HOME

Establishing the right floor for your home isn't easy. You need to think about traffic flow, maintenance, durability and how the particular flooring will make the room look and feel. At Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo we can outline the key factors to consider when buying a floor and then help you look at varying floor types that match your needs.

PRICE

When you are choosing any type of flooring, price is always a consideration. The trick’s to not settle for inexpensive flooring when you can improve quality at a great price, which will last longer, look better and add more value to your home.  It’s worth setting a price range first and looking at what’s available in that price bracket.

TRAFFIC FLOW

The amount of traffic to an area should influence the flooring you choose. People tend to go for carpet in bedrooms and some living areas, as the traffic flow is low. For high traffic areas such as stairs and hallways you will need a hardwearing surface that is easy to clean.

Maintenance and durability

When making your flooring choice you must consider cleaning instructions, long-term maintenance and life-span. What seems like a cheap option now may not be the case if you have to replace it in a couple of years. Think about characteristics of the particular area and how they'll affect the floor such as direct sunlight, water spills, furniture scrapes, termites and dirt from outside.

Comfort versus function

Comfort of flooring can refer to how it feels underfoot, its insulation properties and whether it carries sound. Polished concrete, for example, is extremely hard and may not be suitable for young families. The importance of comfort is dependent on the area of the house. For instance, comfort in the bedroom ranks more highly than function, whereas functionality in the laundry is more important.

 

Appearance

Appearance is often the most important aspect determining floor choice. Many designers suggest deciding on flooring before anything else in the home, even the paintwork. Different textures, patterns, colors and tones all create a certain effect.

Environmental considerations

What is your floor made from? Is this a renewable resource? If you are going with timber floors, ask the supplier if it's from a responsible resource. Some companies may use recycled materials. You should also consider the energy efficiency of the product for example; carpet has good insulation properties, which will save you in heating and cooling bills.

 

Installation

If you are building a new house, installation of your new floor won't be an issue. However, if you are replacing an existing floor you must research the installation process because some floors are easier to install than others. Timber floorboards for example, will take much more work to install than a laminate floating floor.

Once you have thought of the points mentioned above, try doing these tips from the World Floor Covering Association:

1.     Identify the type of flooring you want to replace and why.  Establish the need, is it really necessary to do it and do it now?

2.     Identify the subfloor you’ll be working with and if it needs special preparation or treatment before the new flooring is installed.           

3.     Get an approximate measurement of the area you want to cover, this way you immediately have an idea how many – the quantity of the materials and how much it’ll probably cost you.

4.     Keep in mind that the final costs will be affected by some factors like the quality of the material, its quantity, the pattern you wish to create and of course, waste allowance.

5.     Have the flooring retailer in your home prior to purchase and installation so they can examine a flooring product’s compatibility with the rooms and take the exact measurement to give you an exact quote.

6.     Also take note of the sources of light as light plays a significant role in flooring visuals or appearance.

7.     In terms of longevity, determine traffic pattern – where it is the heaviest and lightest.  Knowing the concentration will help you pick the appropriate material.

8.     Identify adjoining surfaces for both aesthetics and functionality

Buying floors doesn’t have to be a mystery.  Cinderella Carpet One can help!  Contact us in San Luis Obispo or Salinas for your FREE In-Home Consultation and estimate.