Cinderella Carpet One Announces 2014 Home Décor Trends for Flooring

Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas has released their 2014 Flooring Trends based on data compiled from sales trends as well as expert insights from industry partners. Although flooring trends tend to be more subtle than the trends for more replaceable home décor items such as paint and furnishings; this year’s flooring trends offer new ideas while remaining versatile for future home décor trends.

At Cinderella Carpet One we take pride in helping our customers stay on trend and create beautiful rooms in their homes.  We want to ensure that the flooring we install for our customers fits their personality and style.

Carpet

In 2014, the color gray is the trending options for a neutral carpet.  Beige is still one of the top choices, but shades of gray - from light gray to steel gray and everything in between – are becoming increasingly popular.

For colored flooring, vivacious colors from recent years will be getting softer for 2014.  Less saturated hues will result in a look that is more livable and has longevity. Look for Coral, Poppy and Sienna to pair beautifully with Aqua, Teal and Turquoise. Warm neutrals make for an earthy palette. Shades of Spice and Orange give new life to the Red, Brown, Gold palettes. Grey has become warmer and more neutral therefore pairing beautifully with Buttery Gold, Coral, Indigo and Aqua. Non-acidic greens such as Jade and Mint are very important as are berry-inspired Reds & Purples.

Patterned carpets will become increasingly popular. These patterned floors are not printed, multi-colored patterns, but rather patterns created through the manufacturing process and the way the carpet is tufted.  Vine patterns and squares are two of the more popular patterns.

Hardwood & Laminate

Look for deep, dark stains, blacks and even grays in 2014 hardwood looks.   Wood with more character and texturing - not just hand-scraping, but also wire brush detail – will offer more unique flooring options.  Broader variations in graining and color will also be big in 2014. The color difference within flooring will be enormous – a deep coffee color with a blond variation in the same species of wood creates a unique look.

Vinyl

Vinyl tile is becoming very popular and will continue to grow in 2014. Vinyl tile has many benefits. It is less costly to install than stone and tile and, it is softer and warmer underfoot. Technology has helped improve the realism of the product and 2014’s are surprisingly good substitutes for the real thing.  

Area Rugs

Similar trends and colors can be found in area rugs as well — bold colors, graphic patterns, and gray neutrals. For those hesitant about incorporating a new trend in flooring, an area rug is a more cost effective and less permanent option.

For more information on flooring trends as well as 2014 home décor trends in lighting, window treatments, color and more, download the free winter issue of Carpet One Floor & Home’s Beautiful Design Made Simple digital magazine.  Or, call or come into our showroom at 6 Rossi Circle in Salinas and we can help you choose just the right floorcovering for your home. 

PROUD TO BE A PART OF BUILDING FOR AMERICA’S BRAVEST PROGRAM

Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas is proud to be a part of a new partnership with the Building for America's Bravest program. Building for America’s Bravest is a program of The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, in proud partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, which was developed to build smart homes for catastrophically injured service members.

  

As the program’s official flooring provider, Carpet One Floor & Home will be supplying flooring and installation for the construction of these smart home. There are currently 55 service members on the list to receive smart homes – 6 smart homes have already been built; there are 49 homes scheduled to be built over the next 3 years.

We are excited to get started with this new Carpet One Cares initiative. And we’re honored to have our manufacturer partner Mohawk working side-by-side with us. They generously agreed to supply the product for these projects. 

The first home Carpet One Floor & Home will be working on is in Tampa, FL. Sgt. Michael Nicholson is the brave individual receiving this new home. 

On July 6, 2011, Sgt. Nicholson was on combat foot patrol when he was injured by an IED in Afghanistan, causing him to lose both legs and his left arm and suffer a brain injury.

Eight months after arriving at the National Naval Medical Center, Sgt. Michael Nicholson came home to Tampa, Florida greeted by thousands of supporters. At his church, he spoke to the crowd, “I just want to ask for one more thing; please pray for the guys still in Afghanistan right now and for the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines recovering in Bethesda, San Antonio and Balboa. Pray for the ones who didn’t make it back.”

After riding in the motorcade from Tampa Airport to his church, which included over 100 Patriot Guard Riders, he said, “That still blows my mind. I never expected all those people to show up. I am still awestruck about all of this. They have done so much for me, I wish I could do something for them.”

At a time when he was struggling with his own life-altering injuries, Michael was not asking anything for himself, only thinking of his fellow military who are still in need of prayers and support, and for all those who never returned... only wondering what he could do for others.

Learn more about Sgt. Michael Nicholson and the other brave individuals that the Building for America’s Bravest program is helping at ourbravest.org.

May Your Floors Be Merry and Bright!

At Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas our design experts are ready to help you find the perfect floor for the way you live whether you’re completely redecorating or just need a floor to match your existing decor. Check out these tips from our design specialists, just in time for the holidays:

Create a focal point - The holidays are the perfect time to try out a new floor plan. Center your furniture around the fireplace or wherever you hang stockings or stack gifts. If you’re planning a party, arrange furniture in groups to allow for group conversation.

The Fifth Wall - Don’t ignore your floor because it’s the fifth wall to any room! Try out new area rugs to match your holiday decor or choose your festive decorations in a few colors that complement your rugs. Silver, blue, white, red, gold, brown, and green are all great colors to try.

Decorate the whole house- Carry your holiday decor throughout every room. Stand up holiday cards on nightstands in every bedroom. Add scented candles and festive knick-knacks to bathrooms and kitchens. Your guests will be pleasantly surprised!

We recently released a tool to help you prepare for holiday entertaining.  The first is the new fall issue of Beautiful Design Made Simple – a free digital magazine available for Apple iPads and Android tablets.  The Holiday Entertaining issue features articles focused on beautiful design and entertaining tips that are essential during the holiday season.  Features include “Setting the Perfect Table” with designer James M. Davie, “7 Simple Home Décor Tips for Entertaining”, “Hostess Gifts and Wow” and “Mani-Friendly Tips for Hassle Free Holiday designer Entertaining” by Julie Edelman, The Accidental Housewife.

The holiday season is traditionally a busy and stressful time for many people.  Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas is geared towards making the holidays a little less stressful.  Stop in to our showroom today at 6 Rossi Circle and discuss your holiday needs with our design specialists or contact us online. 

CINDERELLA’S STRESS FREE THANKSGIVING PLANNING GUIDE

Did you win the honor of hosting Thanksgiving this year?  Yahoooo!  Well, we put together a planning guide together that will guarantee no stress, no worries, just a multitude of holiday spirit, laughter among family and a whole lot of delicious food.

2 WEEKS AHEAD

-Make your guest list of family and friends.

-Send your invitation and ask everyone what your guests plan to bring.

-Decide on your table decorations:  napkins, candles, and tablecloth.  I like fall décor using pumpkins, berries and fall leaves.

-Finalize your menu.

-Hit the grocery store for all your non-perishable items.

-Decide if you will be serving a fresh or frozen turkey.  A couple turkey tips will help make your decision.  If you’re buying a frozen turkey, get it now and keep it in the freezer.  Buying a fresh bird?  Put your order in now with your local butcher.

1 WEEK AHEAD

-Thaw the turkey.  Make sure there is room to thaw in the refrigerator.  Make sure you put it in a large pan to catch any juice that may escape as it thaws. 

-Make sure you clear space in the refrigerator for all the leftovers after the dinner. 

3-5 DAYS AHEAD

-Shop for all your perishable items.  You can save time when cooking if you group all your items according to the recipe in the pantry and refrigerator.

-If you don’t have a bar set up a beverage area that is central to the kitchen or dining room.  This area will house all the glasses, cocktail napkins, ice bucket, bottle and wine openers and a recycling container.

-Set the table if you have a separate dining area.

2 DAYS AHEAD

-Make all your desserts.  Remember, people typically like to sample a couple of desserts so make sure you have enough for everyone.

-Get the family involved and clean the house and pick up the yard.

1 DAY AHEAD

-Prepare all your side dishes that can be made 24 hours ahead of time.  This can be cranberries or potato casseroles.  You can cut all the ingredients for salads (but don’t toss with dressing) and your stuffing.

-Purchase all your last minute items like rolls, ice, lettuce, etc.

-Decide how much time you will need to cook your turkey.  Roasting will take 12-15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees.  Plan to have the turkey done approximately one hour before dinner so it can cool, which makes carving easier.  If you have a question about your bird, call the folks at Butterball (800-288-8372).

-Set out all the serving dishes and utensils

THANKSGIVING DAY

MORNING:

-Make the stuffing.

-Cook the potatoes.

-Stuff the turkey and get it roasting.

-Make any vegetables you haven’t yet prepared.

-Whip the cream for all the delicious desserts.

AFTERNOON:

-Finish the gravy

-Reheat the potatoes that were cooked in the morning

-Transfer the turkey to the platter

-Serve, sit down and dig in!

THE DAY AFTER

Eat leftovers and take a nap!

The most important thing is don't sweat it: The true secret to being a gracious host or hostess (and keeping your own sanity) is to not let small problems ruin the day. If one of your side dishes burns, simply toss it out and enjoy the rest of the meal. If the turkey burns, order take-out. And don't forget to laugh.

Happy Thanksgiving from Cinderella Carpet One!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

The hustle and bustle of the holidays will soon be upon us and there won’t be any time to relax with the family.  So, before the holidays take over your life, plan a few family activities.  These activities are important for forming children’s identities, creating structure for children and shaping social behaviors, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Take advantage of these next several weeks of mellow aura to relax with fun activities.

Weekend Trips

Try an activity out of your family's comfort zone or revisit a beloved place. Most pools are closed by November, so consider an indoor aquatic resort. Make posters for your family's favorite sports team and take in a basketball or football game. Visit an art gallery or museum. Stay at a bed and breakfast, attend an auto show or see a play. Plan an early Christmas shopping trip out of town for those special holiday gifts or decorations. Designate the location and ask extended family members to meet there.

Volunteer Work

Make November and December the months your family completes volunteer work together. Come up with ideas as a family about what you all care about. Perhaps your family has lost a family member to cancer, or your town has a high homeless population. While the weather is still nice, devote time raising money and getting in condition for a nonprofit race or walk. Soup kitchens, pet shelters and hospitals need volunteers. Schools always need volunteers.  

Embrace the Outdoors at Home – Even when it is Chilly

While the weather is still nice plan a few family activities outdoors. Have a picnic at a park, or sleep in tents in the backyard. Go on a bike ride or hike. Yard cleaning is necessary and will create memories by raking leaves, covering perennials and winterizing gutters. Grill an expensive dinner as a reward for hard work. Invite the extended family for a pre-holiday gathering before everyone’s schedule is filled with holiday commitments.

Indoors at Home

Celebrate winter by keeping warm at home. Gather the family for a game night, complete with pizza and snacks. Host a card or board game tournament. Start the fireplace and organize pictures from the previous summer, research your family genealogy or read a book aloud. Write a short story together with some members writing and others illustrating. Creating food is a bonding process. Find new recipes that require an adventurous spirit through new spices or exotic ingredients.

Pitch a blanket and have a picnic.  Freezing temperatures can ruin a picnic aster than an army of ants, but you can have a picnic on a blanket indoors.  S’mores can be great in the microwave.  Sitting on a blanket instead of at the table is a fun change.

Have a camp-out inside.  Unless your family likes winter camping, pitching a tent inside and having a winter camp-out in the living room is warmer and safer.  Don’t forget those microwave s’mores and, if possible, sit around the fireplace and tell campfire stories.

If the weather does become frightful, below are some activities we have come up with that will allow you and your family to still have a blast this winter.

•Reread a favorite book from your childhood

•Have a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup

•Bake cookies and share them with friends

•Make a big batch of chili

•Drink plenty of eggnog for the holidays

•Go ice-skating

•Hit the slopes

•Kick back in your family hot tub

•Cozy up in front of a roaring fire and watch the flames

•Complete a jigsaw puzzle

•Donate food/toys/clothing to a local charity

•Listen to the wind howl on a chilly night

•Don’t forget the holidays and decorate your home with festive lights

•Decorate a gingerbread house

•Take a drive to admire your neighbors’ holiday lights

•Visit a holiday craft fair

•Throw a Super Bowl party

•When all else fails and cabin fever sets in, clear the decks of breakables and have a pillow fight.  Just don’t use your good pillows.

•Lastly, if you are thinking about purchasing new flooring for your home for the holidays, be sure to visit Cinderella Carpet One.  Bring the kids so they can help choose the perfect flooring for your home.  We are conveniently located at 6 Rossi Circle in Salinas.  Or contact us for a Free In-Home Consultation.

We’d like to hear from you:  What are your family’s favorite winter fun-and-fit activities?

BUY LOCAL FOR A STRONG COMMUNITY

Why shop local? 

•Because local businesses are fueling our economic recovery.

•Because more of what you spend stays local (Spending $10 per month locally would return $9.3   billion to local economies).

•Because local businesses are the heart of every local community (small business donate 2x as much to local charities)

•Because shopping local means giving your business to someone you know that is going to support the community in which you both live (For every $100 you spend locally, $68 stays in your community)

When you shop at Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas and SanLuis Obispo, you’re among neighbors.

This is our home, too.  In addition to backing local businesses, we’re active volunteers in the communities we serve, supporting efforts on behalf of youth sports, animal welfare, the environment and more. 

When it comes to shopping, there’s no place like home.  That’s why we encourage you to keep your business right here in the community.  We live here just like you.  So join us in shopping local – from flooring, to inspiration, to expert advice. 

Come in and see your neighbors at Cinderella Carpet One at 6 Rossi Circle in Salinas.  We’ve got you covered.

LOCALLY OWNED.  NATIONALLY KNOWN – COMMUNITY FOCUS PUTS US ON THE MAP!

DOES HARDWOOD FLOORING MAKE SENSE IN KITCHENS?

There are many reasons why hardwood flooring makes sense in your kitchen. One main consideration, of course, is cost. In general, hardwood flooring is less expensive than tile floors. It is more cost effective to install, and can be installed directly on top of a plywood base rather than having to do extensive sub floor preparation.   This is a surprise to many of my customers, but it’s a pleasant surprise since most would prefer hardwood anyway.

Hardwood floors can give your kitchen area a larger appearance, particularly if the rest of the homes floors are done in the same material. Having hardwood floors throughout the home brings the rooms together, and is in high demand in new homes. This will help in a sale if you ever decide to sell.

Hardwood floors do not have grout to deal with, which can easily collect dirt in a kitchen. This makes a hardwood floor much easier to clean, and to keep clean. They last longer than tile floors, and are always in style. Tile can crack and break over time, and become discolored – if a hardwood floor needs refinishing, it can simply be sanded down and refinished rather than having to be torn up and replaced. Your kitchen floor takes a great deal of abuse – spills, spots and dirt – and you need a floor that can be easily wiped up. With proper maintenance, it will last for many years.

A hardwood floor with a satin finish is the best choice for a kitchen floor, as it does a better job of hiding food and dirt spills. When selecting the type of flooring to use in the kitchen – and elsewhere in the house – remember that certain woods, such as oak, maple and cherry, are the most durable choices. Distressed pine flooring is frequently chosen because of the rustic appearance; however, pine will show dents and scratches more easily than a hard wood.

As long as you are willing to take good care of your wood floor, it will serve you well in the kitchen for a many years! This makes it a great choice for a kitchen floor.

Cinderella Carpet One in Salinas has the finest selection of hardwood floors!  With every purchase we offer expert installation and full manufacturers’ warranties.  Our professionally trained sales staff can help you find the right wood floor for your specific needs.  We offer free estimates and financing options are available to qualified buyers. 

Right now we are having a sale on all hard surface floors storewide.  Save up to 30% on Armstrong hardwood, laminate, tile, vinyl and other hard surface brands.  Visit our showroom at 6 Rossi Circle in Salinas before 9/23.