[My Favorite] Limited Edition Tigressa Soft Style Carpet

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I know we’ve talked about Tigressa before, but we just got 5 new, limited edition styles in for a fantastic sale that just started. They have all of the great benefits of regular Tigressa styles such as…

• 10 Year Stain Proof Warranty – no exceptions, no exclusions, no kidding
• Up to 20 Year Texture Retention Warranty – protection against matting and crushing
• Life of the Carpet Installation Guarantee – our Carpet Install Crews are just that good
• Super soft fiber in great styles with classic colors

With our 10 Year Stain Proof Guarantee!

 

The five styles include two classic plushes plus three textured friezes. Each style comes in eight colors inspired by nature so they can be timeless and go with anything.

 

 

Park Falls Plus, Tigressa SoftStyle Carpet - Limited Edition

 

Oh, and the color palette for the three friezes include four solid and four flecked each. One nice thing about the flecked carpet colors is that they have almost a camouflaging effect, which helps if you’re not able to immediately vacuum up any spills or tracked-in dirt.

 

 

Chic-n-Soft - Available in 3 Luxurious Weights

 

My favorite style of the five is Park Falls. It’s one of the textured friezes and my favorite color is Parchment. Parchment is one of those beautiful, soft neutral greens that go with anything.

 

Parchment is in the upper left corner

Oh, and in case you’re wondering why I’m writing in the My Favorite series that has been reserved for product reviews by our flooring design consultants, I’ve recently been promoted to that role. So now I get to help you face-to-face in addition to online!

 

 

Tigressa SoftStyle is on a great sale!

 

P.S. – With the current sale, these five limited edition styles are available at great prices! Plus, with any purchase of a Tigressa carpet, we will donate to the Save the Tigers campaign. 

If you have any comments, questions please use the comment form below or email me at katlin@mercercarpetone.com.  I'd love to hear what you think!

How to Choose a Green and Durable Roof

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I was recently approached by Herbert Norton of Roofery.com. 

He was interested in my blog and requested to be a guest blogger.  His goal was to be the same on his informative website: to help consumers make educated decisions about what type of roof they wanted.

So, he asked if I think you would be interested in reading about some eco-friendly roofing options.  I thought it was worth a try and would love to hear your feedback through comments!

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Going green is more than a passing trend; it's a lifestyle. Not only does "Greening" your home improve the state of the environment, but it can also save you money in the long run. As green alternatives become more main-stream, there are more and more design options to match your style and aesthetic preferences.

green living

So why not start at the top?

Green roofing is a thriving industry and options range from solar panels to eco-friendly shingles. Green roofs not only maximize energy efficiency and add extra insulation to your home, but they can add a new design aspect to your home.

solar panels

Before you decide to green your home, make sure to research all the options to choose which eco-roofing option works best for your home!

Things to Consider:

First off, your new roof should always be dependable, provide a barrier against the elements, protect your house from heat and cold, and have some aesthetic appeal.

rustic slate tile

Also make sure to consider your environment - the color of your roof can have a huge environmental impact. For example if you live in a warm environment it is best to go with a light colored roof that will reflect the sun's radiation and keep your house naturally cooler. If you cold environment, a darker roof absorbs sun and keeps the house insulated naturally.

a sample swatch of roofing colors

By altering the color of your roof, it can save you from extra heating or cooling costs and curb harmful emissions.

When roofing, consider local options. The further the shipping distance, the worse the environmental impact. Try to purchase what is produced locally!

local roofing supplies - MD, USA

Finally consider durability. You don't want to have to continually replace your roof - it is not eco-friendly nor economically practical.

Most importantly choose a roof that matches your needs and style.
Shingles:

If you like traditional shingle roofing, then you are in luck! There is a great eco-friendly alternative to the popular asphalt shingles that are one of the least green-roofing options.

recycled shingle roofing

Recycled synthetic shingles, or composite shingles, made from plastic or rubber and mixed with wood waste, are lightweight, UV and fire resistant, and long-lasting. They last up to 50 years, as opposed to asphalt shingles that usually have a 15-year life span.

Composite shingles can vary in appearance because they differ in contour and depth.

recycled shingles

Most brands of composites mimic cedar slates, slate or clay tiles. Since the composites are comparable to asphalt shingles in terms of weight and dimensions, there is usually no need to add reinforcements to your roof to accommodate the new shingles.

recycled shingles

Recycled synthetic shingles typically cost more than asphalt shingles. A bundle of asphalt shingles costs about $25. Recycled synthetic shingles usually start $75 per bundle. However, when thinking about the lifespan of asphalt compared the composites and about the eco advantages, recycled synthetic shingles are a great option.

Tile:

Tile is a great option for homeowners looking for a roof with excellent natural heating and cooling capacities.

fiber cement roofing tile

Fiber-cement composite tiles are often formed to look like slates but can be recycled, make great water-collection roofs and are durable. The tiles are not as heavy as the concrete or cement tiles so they don't need any reinforcement to install.
Clay:

Making clay tiles requires very little energy usage. These tiles can be glazed or unglazed, depending on your taste and are available in a variety of lighter colors which can reflect more than 50% of the sun's rays.

clay roof

Clay tiles also have the capability of providing greater air circulation, which enhances their cooling capability. Clay tiles are usually very heavy, so be sure to have a certified expert take a look at the strength of your home’s frame.
Slate:

For the colder climate, slate tiles are a very green option. Since slate is drawn from quarries, it has a small environmental impact.

slate roofing

Also, with all of the slate quarries in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, the environmental cost of them is typically lower. Slate is heavy, but it can last, with little maintenance, for hundreds of years. Its dark color makes it a great heat absorber and natural insulator.
Bio-Diverse Green Roofs:

Especially popular in cities, this roof top garden is an eco-friendly roof that has adds a flare to any home. A green roof is a vegetated cover for your roof that absorbs carbon dioxide, insults your home remarkably well and reduces your homes overall heat gain.

living roof

Although many commercial buildings may sport intensive green roofs, that requires heavy structural supports due to the weight of soil, plants, trees and irrigation systems; bio-diverse roofs are a great addition to any home. An bio-diverse roof only calls for 2-5 inches of soil to support small plants, shrubs and grass and requires minimal maintenance.

bio-diverse roof

Depending on how your house is built, you may not need any extra structural reinforcement to support a green roof. A green roof takes more planning than the other options, so talk with an engineer before pursing this option. But a green roof can add flare to any home.

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Personally, I'm drawn to the natural slate and bio-diverse roofing options.  I think they would work well in the varied Maryland climate.  What about you?  So, what do you think?  Would you like to see more posts like these?  I'd love to hear from you!

[My Favorite] Soft Bigelow with Smart Strand by Dwayne Unger

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Dwayne Unger is one of our Flooring Design Consultants.  He's received over 400 hours of training from Mercer Floor and Home alone and specializes in commercial flooring and insurance replacement.

Dwayne Unger - also known as Dunger and Bubba

“Mohawk leads innovation in sustainable flooring with Soft Bigelow SmartStrand carpet with DuPont Serona renewably sourced polymer, which is produced from corn sugar. By utilizing this new ingredient, 37% of Sorona is being made from renewable resources. This marks the first time that a luxuriously soft carpet offers durability and stain protection, while also making less of an environmental impact.

Mohawk Flooring, an American company

“The production of Sorona polymer requires 30% less energy than the production of an equal amount of nylon resulting in approximately one gallon of gasoline saved per every seven square yards of carpet. Greenhouse gas emissions from the production of Sorona are 63% lower than nylon manufacturing.

carpet fiber from corn sugar

“The superior stain resistance of SmartStrand carpet is engineered into the fiber and will never wear or wash off, meaning consumers will never need to retreat the carpet with stain protectors after steam cleaning. My personal favorite Soft Bigelow SmartStrand carpet is currently Hubbard in color Conquistador. Super plush frieze with a really cool color name!”

All of our Bigelow carpets come with 3M's Everguard Stain Protection
earning them a 10 year Stain Proof Warranty!

 
Do you have a SmartStrand carpet in your home?  Or does your carpet have a stain proof warranty?  How is it performing for you?  I'd love to hear about it!

How to Support the United States Economy with your Flooring

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The United States of America is a proud nation, proud of our cultural ability to make something for ourselves and loved ones with a touch of inner drive as the main ingredient.  That ability is what our nation was founded on and, thankfully, we've been able to hold on to it through the centuries.

Maybe that's why the backbone of our economy is considered to be the small, family business.

According to one of my polls, a number of you consider supporting our country's economy both locally and nationally the most important added benefit of a purchase.  So I thought that it might be a good idea to write about a few ways this support can be given when purchasing flooring.

Consider the Material:

There are also many flooring construction materials that originate in the United States.

Take hardwood for an example; you have your domestic species (Oak is the most prevalent, especially in the Mid-Alantic region) and your exotic, or imported, species (such as the ever popular Brazilian Cherry or Jatoba).

And the plastic bottles and other plastic materials found in many polyester carpet fibers are diverted from landfills in the USA. Nylon carpets have a similar story as they are often made from recycled carpet (the fibers are cleaned and broken down to their original state). While olefin carpet fiber is actually made from the waste created from the manufacturing of other synthetic fibers.


Consider the Manufacturer:

Did you know that the top flooring manufacturers of the world are based in the United States and most of their facilities are based on the East Coast? 

For example, Armstrong has a manufacturing facility and main office in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Armstrong also has facilities in West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and other states.

Georgia has been and still is a hot-spot of carpet manufacturers including Shaw and Mohawk.

Consider the Retailer and Installers:

And now for the last step in your new floor's journey: the retailer and installation crew.

The installers themselves are local people.  So no matter what floor you buy, you are automatically supporting the local economy when hiring an installation crew.

The choice of retailer, however, is not automatically a local one.

The money earned by any company goes to the main office where it's distributed and spent as the entire company needs, whether it be a 100% locally based company or a larger, international one.  When purchasing from a local company, that money mostly stays within the local community; especially if that business chooses to support other local businesses as is often the case.

And to close, I'm going to write a bit of a shameless plug.  Mercer Carpet One is, of course, a 100% local, family business who strives to work as a team with other local businesses.  And over 80% of our products are made in the U.S.A.  There, shameless plug over.

So, let's hear from you.  How do you support your local economy?  Is it important to you that products you purchase are made in the U.S.A?

[My Favorite] Extreme Value Carpets by Kevin Bryson

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Kevin Bryson is the Manager of our Downtown Westminster Flooring Design Showroom of Carroll County in Maryland.  He's been with us for over a decade with countless hours of training.  His background is in construction and home design.

Kevin Bryson, Manager, Mercers of Westminster, MD

“Well, the name says it all.  These are extreme value carpets. 

Best Value in Carpet

"These select few carpets are picked by designers to be the most popular feels and looks in the industry.  The manufacturers then took those select few, reduced the color line to the most popular colors and produce them for us and other Carpet One International member stores only at the best price in the industry. 

Top styles, top colors, great prices!

"If you want good quality, great colors, and the best price possible, then one of these is the right carpet for you.  Most of the time in this industry, you have to give up quality to get these types of prices.  With our Extreme Value line, you don’t have to give up anything.  All Extreme Value carpets have either Gold or Platinum level warranties. 

Both Gold & Platinum level warranties include our Life of the Floor Installation Guarantee & our Beautiful Guarantee!

"I like Steeplechase in any color because it feels like a cloud when walking on it.”

What kind of carpet do you have in your home?  What do you like about it?

2011-2012 Top Color Palettes

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Color tends shift with economical, environmental, political, and historical movements in society.  They act almost like a barometer for the state of society at that time.  For 2011/2012's trends, there are 6 different collections that are affecting fashion, home design, and more.

Neutrals:

These are the classic colors that create a perfect canvas for other colors in a palette to work off of: browns, beiges, blacks, greys, and whites.

They also work well together to create soothing color palettes on their own.

Grey is actually becoming increasingly popular as a canvas color for the home, especially the warmer tones.  It's even starting to surpass beiges as the favorite wall and carpet color family.

Naturals:

Natural colors have remained popular for so long that they are becoming classic colors, especially the softer tones as they are increasingly being used in the place of the standard neutrals as a canvas color.  A perfect example of this is sage green, one of the top colors for 2011/2012.

Other popular natural colors include linen white, stone grey, rustic reddish brown, and various shades of blue.  These all work well with natural textures such as hand-scraped hardwood and tumbled stone.

Metallics:

These are highly popular as accent colors by adding a little sheen to a space.  Metallics are currently preferred in matte and pearl finishes, especially bronze, brass, and pewter.

Brass

Pewter

Bronze

Soft silvers, titaniums, and golds remain popular in home decor accents.  Utilize metallics in accent tiles, wall hangings, lamps, and other accessories to help brighten a space.

Blues:

Yes, blue is so popular that it deserves a category all to itself.  With popular shades such as violet-blues, icy-blues, electric blues, mellow blues, and even teal and turquoise the options are limitless.  Try layering various shades of blue together to create visual depth in a design or pair with a crisp white to add contrasting interest.

Urban Elements:

This palette uses a mix of cool neutrals such as industrial darks, green greys, and industrial blue-greys that are paired well with metallics or accents brighter colors.  To add interest to this masculine color palette, try playing with texture with tone-on-tone patterns.

Retro is Back:

More and more people are reaching for the worn, comforting colors of the past like honey golds, wheat, charcoal, steel grey, reds, and chartreuse.  These vintage colors work well with other palettes.  They add femininity to the industrial colors and add some pop to the natural colors.

And of course, with these colors comes a reawakening of the popularity of patterns such as paisley, damask, and florals.

Playful Optimism:

The colors in this palette are bright, cheery, and dynamic.  Either as an entire palette or as accent colors, they work together to create an air of spirited sophistication with a hint of the unexpected.  This palette includes oranges, reds, plums, lemons, and greens.

Cultural Colors:

With our global economy and the tools of the world wide web, we are including bold and eclectic colors into our homes.  And we're starting to combine them to create unique designs. 

For example: Latin American color palettes with chili pepper red, turquoise, and sapphire are being used in the same space as African animal prints.  Also, tropical island colors such as coral, sandy pink, and sea green are being used in traditional Asian and Indian prints.

Brights:

We're also increasingly using bright colors as accents in otherwise neutral rooms.  Combinations like orange with silver grey are a great way to add visual interest. Bright yellow combined with rich plum is also popular.

In fact, the Pantone color of the year falls within this category: honeysuckle a cheery pink.

What is your favorite color palette mentioned above?  Or do you have a preferred color palette of your own?

[My Favorite] Soft Bigelow with SmartStrand by Dwayne Unger

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Dwayne Unger is our Insurance Coordinator (it's his job to help those who need to work with an insurance company to replace their floors) in addition to being a Flooring Consultant in our Downtown Westminster Showroom.

“Mohawk leads innovation in sustainable flooring with Soft Bigelow SmartStrand carpet with DuPont Serona renewable-sourced polymer, which is produced from corn sugar. By utilizing this new ingredient, 37% of Sorona is being made from renewable resources. This marks the first time that a luxuriously soft carpet offers durability and stain protection, while also making less of an environmental impact.

“The production of Sorona polymer requires 30% less energy than the production of an equal amount of nylon resulting in approximately one gallon of gasoline saved per every seven square yards of carpet. Greenhouse gas emissions from the production of Sorona are 63% lower than nylon manufacturing.

Mohawk has completed another Zoo Challenge!

“The superior stain resistance of SmartStrand carpet is engineered into the fiber and will never wear or wash off, meaning consumers will never need to retreat the carpet with stain protectors after steam cleaning.

Here is one of the rhinos that have tested SmartStrand carpet

"My personal favorite Soft Bigelow SmartStrand carpet is currently Hubbard in color Conquistador. Super plush frieze with a really cool color name!”

Do you have Bigelow and/or SmartStrand in your home?  If so, what do you think?