ARE YOU SELLING A HOME AND NEED NEW FLOORING?

Quick, cost effective upgrades before selling a home always pays off, but which repairs bring the biggest return? 

In many neighborhoods, most of the homes are older which means the floors are original which means they might have carpeting over hardwood.   Carpeting became popular in the 1960’s after it became too expensive to install hardwood.  Some homes today still sport the 1960’s shag carpeting.  So, if you are selling your home, low on budget and need a quick fix, there are some ways you can do it without making it look cheap.

Hardwood Floors 
If your home has hardwood floors, that's what buyers want, and it would pay to have the carpeting removed and the floors refinished.

Carpeting 
If your sub-floor is plywood, then replace the carpeting with light tan. Neutral carpeting is your best bet for resale.

Ceramic 
Replace chipped or cracked tiles. Clean or replace the grout. But don't install ceramic (it's too expensive) unless it's for aesthetic reasons in an entryway.

What you’re looking for are discounted floors that have been reduced in price but still look good.  For example, flooring manufacturers are always producing different lines of flooring, different colors, different finishes and some floors just aren’t as popular as they originally thought.  These types of floors won’t sit in the warehouse too long before they are liquidated.

Depending on the amount of flooring you need, you can sometimes pick up flooring at a great price that has been placed in the “odd lot” inventory.  This means there is a limited supply or it has been discontinued. 

You can also choose “seconds” to complete a room.  These floors might have a minor defect that you don’t event notice.  There might be a slight blemish in the finish; the color might be a little off or some other minor issue.  With these small imperfections the cost of the flooring will be greatly reduced.

Your local flooring retailer like Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas very often has supplies of flooring that can be used to upgrade your home before it goes on the market.  So, if your home has been on the market for a while and you’re looking for some information to sell your home more quickly, try installing a new floor.  It may tip someone in your direction.  Contact Cinderella today for your Free In-Home Measurement. Also, don’t forget to see what’s on sale this month.  It might just be what your looking for!

CHOOSING THE BEST FLOORING FOR KIDS

Some of the most important features when choosing flooring for a kid’s room are safety, easy to clean and durable enough to withstand all the jumping, scraping and playing.   Flooring that has some ‘give’ would be ideal to soften falls and prevent injury. But, the floor would still have to be durable enough to withstand spills, falling toys and wear and tear.   Luckily, there’s a wealth of choice available and all you have to do is pick the one best suited to your and your active family.  Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas can show you all the available options and give you the assistance you need to make an educated decision. 

Carpet

Crawling toddlers and active kids will thank you for the softness of carpet.  It’s easy on the knees and will help cushion their falls.  It may be soft underfoot but it is also vulnerable to stains.  So make sure you choose a stain resistant carpet.  Children who suffer from allergies may want to stay away from carpet it can breed mold and mildew if liquid is not cleaned immediately.

Hardwood

Children’s toys and spills can damage hardwood.  However they can be made scratch-resistant and more durable with protective coatings or by choosing a particularly hard brand.  The downside is it can be less comfortable to play on. 

Laminate is another option where spills won’t damage the floor and are easy to clean up.  The slippery surface can be a concern for small children but area rugs can help to minimize this problem.  Laminate can give you the look of wood but requires much less maintenance.

Cork offers all the desired features and is green choice, which is durable and comfortable to the feet.  This antistatic surface is great for playful kids, while the softness is a great shock absorber for kids just learning to walk.  The downside to cork is it can easily be gouged or scratched because of its softness.  Cork absorbs noise more that laminate or hardwood and is great for kids with allergies because it is hypoallergenic and resistant to bacterial growth.

Bamboo

Eco-friendly bamboo offers a trendy floor that is easily refinished if scratched.  But remember, these floors are more susceptible to scratches so the natural bamboo may be your best option.

 If you love the flooring you currently have and you don't want to replace it, look into foam mats that go over existing flooring. Many foam floors now come in bright colors with the ABC's and 123's so kids can play in a safe environment and also one that is educational.

With any flooring there are trade-offs and will come down to the needs of your family.  Whatever your needs, Cinderella can help.  Visit our showroom on 6 Rossi Circle in Salinas or schedule a Free In-Home Consultation.  With over 450 different flooring choices you are sure to be able to find what you are looking for at Cinderella.

Local Retailer Cinderella Carpet One Explains How Cooperatives Make a Difference

As a local area business and a member of a cooperative, Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo  knows being a member of a buying cooperative is beneficial to business owners and consumers alike. 2012 has been named the International Year of the Cooperative by the United Nations to draw attention and raise awareness around cooperative enterprises.

Cinderella Carpet One is a part of the largest cooperative of flooring retailers in North America. As a member of the Carpet One Floor & Home cooperative, we are able to benefit from economies of scale when making purchases, advertising, merchandising our stores and even training our employees — all while maintaining our autonomy as a local business.

Because Cinderella benefits from our membership in a cooperative, we are able to provide our customers the value they’re looking for without losing the personal touch of a local business.  Our membership in the Carpet One Floor & Home cooperative has helped us remain competitive with big-box stores and survive through a rough economy.  We don’t have to give up our independence, but we still have someone to lean on when we need advice or support.

There are several types of cooperatives. Carpet One Floor & Home is a Purchasing & Shared Services cooperative, but another familiar type of cooperative is a consumer cooperative. Many people are familiar with local food co-ops. There are also producer co-ops like those formed by growers and worker co-ops where the workers actually own the business.

Participating in or purchasing from cooperative businesses helps to keep more money in the local community. Local business owners are more likely to reinvest in the community and donate time to local causes.

Cinderella Carpet One would like to help spread the word about the International Year of the Cooperative and help educate consumers on the benefits of participating in and purchasing from cooperatives. Customers aren’t surprised to find that we offer better service than big-boxes, but they are often surprised that we can give them the same value. 

To learn more about the International Year of the Cooperative visit their website at http://2012.coop and join Cinderella Carpet One in spreading the word about cooperatives at Facebook.com/ChooseACoop.

If you would like more information on the Carpet One cooperative or Cinderella Carpet One, please stop by our showroom in Salinas at 6 Rossie Circle.   
Cinderella is a locally owned flooring retailer serving Monterey and San Benito Counties and our showroom is known for carrying a broad selection of beautiful carpet, wood, laminate, ceramic, vinyl, and area rugs including exclusive brands like Bigelow and Lees. We offer a unique customer experience with the exclusive SelectAFloor merchandising system that simplifies the shopping experience and The Beautiful Guarantee, which guarantees that the customer will be 100% happy with their floor. For additional information or a Free No-Obligation In-Home Measurement call or contact us and see what’s on sale this month.

IS VINYL FLOORING DEAD?

A big misconception in flooring options is that vinyl flooring is dead.  The truth is, vinyl was sleeping for a while because the market share was shrinking due to the introduction of the new laminate floors flooding the market.  But now Vinyl is back as a durable and low maintenance option because vinyl flooring producers have now found new ways to add texture and very realistic patterns that actually look like their natural counterparts of wood or tile floors.  

Many people don’t recognize the full range of benefits that a vinyl floor provides.  That’s why Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas would like to remind you of the variety of benefits that you should keep in mind when choosing a new vinyl floor.

VINYL FLOORING GIVES YOU DESIGN OPTIONS

Vinyl flooring is available in any color and pattern you can think of.  You can choose from solid colors, or patterns including those that imitate other flooring types including stone, wood and tile.  Whether you prefer traditional, contemporary, or country our selection of vinyl flooring will help you find the right style and color to match your kitchen, bathroom or any room in your home.  If you are having trouble deciding which vinyl patterns and colors are best for your décor check out http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/design-tools.asp and http://www.mannington.com/virtualdecorator/ to preview your favorite floors in the manufacturer’s virtual room designers.

VINYL IS DURABLE AND RESILIENT

In most cases a premium quality vinyl floor offers better resilience than wood and tile flooring.  This means it is softer underfoot and has more give, so it is more comfortable to stand on.   And, if laid correctly, it will last for many years with very little maintenance. 

VINYL IS HYGIENIC AND EASY TO CLEAN

Vinyl flooring care and cleaning is incredibly easy.  You can use disinfectants and other sanitizing chemicals on the floor without risking damage.  This mans your floors are not only clean aesthetically, they are very hygienic, making them great for asthma or allergy sufferers.

VINYL IS ECONOMICAL

Another benefit of vinyl flooring is how economical it is.  Per square yard, it is much cheaper to buy and install than many other types of flooring, and if you are handy, you can even install it yourself.  Because vinyl can emulate the look of other flooring such as stone or wood, you can get that look with the cost or the maintenance! 

Check out our Craig’s List vinyl sale offer and contact us today for your FREE In-Home measurement

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PINTEREST?

What is Pinterest? 

It’s a social networking site based solely on photos.  Pinterest, the latest social phenomena to hit the masses, is a sharing platform in which you “pin” pictures to your board. The picture-sharing site allows you to create categories of photographs, pin your pictures, and share them with other people. In addition to pinning pictures, you can also pin videos, share monetary gifts, and join discussion groups.

To quote Pinterest directly:

“Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.  Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.  Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite.”

Pinterest asks that you request an invitation to join their community – this usually takes 24-48 hours to facilitate.

Who uses Pinterest?

The answer to this question is simple – everyone and anyone. As stated previously, Pinterest started as a platform for everyday users who wanted to organize and share their pictures with the world. Since then, business owners have began to see the potential of the platform and are now using it to market their products and distribute their brand messages

Why use Pinterest?

There are several different reasons that one might use Pinterest:

To share photos with family and friends.

To share information – Many people use Pinterest to post their recipes and ideas, or showcase their talents through photographs.

To gather inspiration – Individuals from around the world use Pinterest to showcase their best ideas. So whether you are looking for wedding ideas, cake ideas, decorating ideas, or other forms of inspiration, Pinterest is a great place to find it.

To promote a business – Pinterest can be a great way to share your products with the world. Post your product pictures, or use Pinterest to showcase the talents that you have to offer.  Even better, use it to create a visual brand personality for your business. Make people fall in love with who you are and what you do.

Because this is a floor covering blog I guess we should tie Pinterest to flooring.  Below are four major flooring manufacturer’s Pinterest links:

http://pinterest.com/mohawkflooring/

http://pinterest.com/ShawFloors/

http://pinterest.com/manningtonfloor/

http://pinterest.com/armstrongfloors/

Lastly, here is the link to Pinterest where you can sign up by requesting an invitation:  www.pinterest.com.

Have fun pinning but be careful it can be addicting!

At Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo we provide a unique shopping experience.  We provide selective offerings, design support, product visualization and superior installation services.  While you are browsing on Pinterest and get inspired to replace the flooring in your home with something inspiring, come to our showroom at 6 Rossi Circle in Salinas or contact us for your free in-home consultation.

SUMMER FASHION TRENDS FOR YOUR HOME

This year’s hot fashion trends are not just for wearing. Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and San Luis Obispo brings you three Summer fashion trends that inspire beautiful home décor. Using a favorite fashion trend as the inspiration for a room can be a great way to express personal style. These three trends hot off the runways make for truly inspired rooms.

BRIGHT COLORS

From juicy oranges to bright pinks and striking blues, splashes of color are popping up in spring and summer wardrobes. To add a stylish splash of color to your home, throw pillows and tabletop accessories are the place to start.  For brightly colored furniture, stick with small tables or stools. Balancing bright colors in a room can often be a challenge. Bright pillows on the sofa can be balanced with bright accessories or a side table on the other side of the room. “For customers who really want to go bold, brightly colored carpet is always an option.  Today’s carpet comes in so many styles and colors, it’s easy to find one to match a favorite fashion trend.  With a brightly colored carpet, it’s important to keep the big pieces of furniture neutral and pop the color again with a few accessories and throw pillows or bedding - like wearing a bright jean, white top and colorful bracelets or necklace.

View more Bright Color ideas at Pinterest.com/carpetonefh.

WHITE AND LACE

For a clean and slightly feminine touch look no further than the beautiful lace dresses walking down the runways.  Mirrors are always a great new item to add to a room to add dimension. They open up spaces and bring design to the walls if they are bare.  A cluster of three or four white vases on a table is a bold statement, and can be used on a dining table for the centerpiece as well. Lace works well in creating a feminine bedroom. Decorative lace pillow shams can instantly transform the room. A beautiful pillow or bolster can also be added to a chair to spread the look past the bed. Any room can always use a spot to put a drink on or seat and extra person on when entertaining. A white stool or two can make great accents.

View more White and Lace ideas at Pinterest.com/carpetonefh. 

NAUTICAL

Navy stripes with pops of color matched crisp whites and natural details like rope and canvas are making sea lovers smile this summer. Nautical looks are timeless and classic making them an excellent inspiration for the home. A wood floor with a weathered look can mimic the feel of a boat deck. Carpet One’s Rustic River Hardwood offers a genuine look through hand-scraping, chatter-marking, whitewashing, weathering and aging. For accessories, rope accents on lamps and lighting fixtures add texture while remaining neutral in color. A blue striped pillow instantly adds nautical to the room. Hurricane lamps filled with coral, starfish and shells make a sea inspired centerpiece for any table.

View more Nautical ideas at Pinterest.com/carpetonefh.

Cinderella Carpet One offers quality customer service and pricing you can count on!  We have the finest brands and the widest selection that can help you with any of your floorcovering requirements.  Contact us today because whatever you are dreaming of or whatever you envision; Cinderella has the expertise, knowledge and experience necessary to help you create it.

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.