[Ceddi Fund] Help Bring Ceddi Home

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Ceddi, 5 years old and waiting to come home

I am so excited to share some great news with you: a member of the Mercer Team has been approved to adopt the young boy, Ceddi, in the picture above so that he can know the wonderful love that a family can give!

J and his wife have three young sons and a daughter of their own.  They didn't intend to adopt when they joined a local board to help young children from the Philippines find a home.  But one day as they were looking through the profiles of the children in need of a home, they both kept coming back to Ceddi's profile.  They couldn't help but be drawn to his big hearted smile!

Now, the last of many legal hurdles has been overcome and they can go pick him up at any time.  Once they raise the final $10,000, that is.

In order to bring Ceddi safely home to a loving family, the Mercer Team has rallied to find ways to help raise the money and this is one of those ways.

Please help by...

• spreading the word to your friends, families, co-workers, etc and/or 
• using the Paypal button below or contacting the Mercer Team at 410-876-2026 and 26 W. Main St, Westminster, Maryland to make your donation

The more people that know, the more that can help, the quicker Ceddi comes home!  Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

"A little child enters your life and fills a special place in your heart. A place you never even knew was empty!"

Author: Unknown

How to Use the Trending Colors of Spring 2012 with Classic Style

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Ah, the refreshing colors of spring time.  What a wonderful way to shake off the winter blues.  (If only the Maryland weather would stop weaving back and forth between winter and summer and give us a real spring already!)

Pantone's Spring 2012 Top Colors

Whew!  There are some bright colors in that line up, right?  But before you start thinking how you could ever use such a bold color line up in your home without going crazy, here are some quick tips on how you can tastefully update the feel of your home.

In the picture above you can see a wall color in the same family as the trending Margarita, a throw blanket in the same family as the Tangerine Tango, and colors along the same line as Starfish mixed throughout.  There is even a pastel version of Solar Power in the pillows!  See, that isn't so bad now is it?

Tip 1: Update the pieces of the design that are easy to change out when you get tired of them.

Throw pillows and blankets, vases, paint, flowers, and other accessories are easy to change out (and easy to find inexpensively in the trending colors).

If you want to play a bit with paint but don't want to repaint your whole home every single time the trends change, just choose a small wall in the space.  Accent it with a bright paint color and some simple artwork to create a focal point (a especially great idea with rooms that don't automatically lend you a focal point through architecture).

Tip 2: The pieces that aren't easy to change out keep in classic, natural, neutral colors.

Floors, large pieces of furniture...the staples of the room are great to keep in your classic colors.  Colors you will never tire of.  Colors that act like a backdrop for the rest of the space's design.

This does not, however, limit you to only using grey, brown, black, white, taupe, or...the most overused basic neutral of them all...beige for these staples!  Grab some colors that I call natural neutrals.  The colors you see constantly in nature.  When has Mother Nature ever been anything but stylish?

Tip 3: Trust your gut.

Too many times I see a stylish dressed woman who claims to have no sense of color choice or design.  Yet her home is beautiful and shows off her sense of style.

This is NOT you!

You know what you like.  You pull together stylish outfits on a daily (or almost daily) basis.  You can immediately point out what you do not like in any form of design.  You can tell when proportions are off, when colors don't mesh, etc...  Trust yourself with pulling together the design of your home as well.

If you need an extra set of eyes for the more challenging areas or to back up your choices, go for it!  But don't stress out if you're choosing the right shade off white (trust me, out of the thousands of shades, a few hundred of them will work perfectly!)

Tip 4: Throw out the rule book and have fun!

There is no tried and true rule book of home design.  Find what you like and go for it.  If you're concerned about over doing it, follow a guideline (NOT A RULE) that my mother gave me for pulling together an outfit: 1 or 2 fun things plus classic pieces.

Flats - classic
Blazer - classic
White top with gentle feminine cut - classic
Denim - classic
Diamonds - classic
Bright yellow purse - fun

And this outfit can take you anywhere from a family picnic to all but the fanciest of restaurants.

Neutral color palette - classic

Pops of orange - fun

Traditional shaped furniture - classic

Solid color drapes - classic

Barn door entertainment center - fun

And doesn't this room look bright, refreshing, welcoming, and comfortable?  Better yet, does it look like someone could actually live in it?

Don't be afraid to throw in little oddities (example in picture above) that speak to you, call your name and whisper to you 'you know you want to!'  The best way to tell when a house has become a home is when you do a blind sight/sound/touch test.  Bring in a friend who has never seen your home.  Don't tell them it's your home.  See if they can tell you live there by the way you designed it.  A house only becomes a home when it has your personality stamped on it.

There, I hope that helps some!  What ideas do you have?  Any tips to share?  Do you have some great pictures of how you incorporated trending colors into your home design?  (Please share!)

[Guest Post] List of Essentials for New Homeowners: Bathrooms

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Essential Bathroom Accessories for Every New Homeowner

A new home can give homeowners a great deal of both joy and headaches. Purchasing furniture, stocking the kitchen, setting up utilities – these are just a few of the many tasks waiting for new homeowners.  With all the preparations and challenges of maintaining a home, purchasing bathroom accessories may be the last thing on their minds. But regardless of whether you’re a new or long –term homeowner, it is vital to make sure that your bathroom is well stocked and filled with necessary accessories.

Which Bathroom Accessories Should You Look For?

While shopping for supplies and accessories for the home, it can be easy to lose track of the plethora of items needed for the home. However, spend some time considering which accessories will best suit the style and overall décor of your bathroom. The following is a list of essential items that are part of any well-stocked bathroom:

Linens: 

An essential component of the bathroom is linens, such as towels, washcloths and washrags. These cloths are used for a variety of purposes in the bathroom, ranging from cleaning your face to drying the counters of a vanity. Many prefer to choose coordinating sets and colors when browsing linens. Not only does this give the bathroom a cleaner look and feel, it also improves the overall aesthetic of the bathroom design.

Sink Accessories: 

Sink accessories cover a wide range of items, such as soap dishes, tissue dispensers, and toothbrush holders. These items can be found in nearly any home and design store, and are available in a variety of prices. When choosing sink accessories, keep in mind that there are an endless range of shapes, styles, and colors. Finding accessories that match with the theme of the bathroom can reflect your tastes and personality, as well as create a coordinated look.

Shower Curtains: 

Shower curtains are typically placed around a tub or shower and prevent the rest of the bathroom from getting too wet. They have become an important part of the bathroom, and are available in nearly any home décor store. Nowadays, shower curtains are made in a variety of materials, such as vinyl, cotton, or natural materials. However, each material requires a different technique for cleaning, which the homeowner should keep in mind.

Cleaning Supplies: 

A bathroom is likely to collect dust, grime and hair after a prolonged period of time. If left for too long, grime can become difficult to remove and start filling the air with unsavory odors. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your bathroom is well stocked with cleaning supplies and materials. There are a wide range of products that are designed to clean various parts of the bathroom, such as the toilet, drains, and vanities. However, if you prefer green cleaning methods and maintaining a sustainable home, then there are a number of home remedies and solutions that can be created with materials easily found around the house.

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Author Christine Cooney is the resident blogger at The House Designers, where she covers house design, architecture, and home plans. The House Designers offer a wide selection of custom home plans direct from designers. 

What did you think of this post? Is there anything you would like to add to the list?  Do you have any new homeowners on how to best stock their bathroom?  Would you like to see more posts like this one?

We're Moving!

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As a heads up to everyone here, the Ellicott City Showroom of Mercer Floor and Home will be moving up the street a couple blocks the end of April for a Grand Re-Opening on May 1st 2012.

We will be moving to the same shopping center as Bon Appetit Bakery...

Right next to the Hanover Bank, CVS, and Arbey's.

Keep your ears peeled for the celebration event and sale!

Have You Ever Thought About Cork Floors?

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I just realized that the only time I've posted about cork flooring is when I told you that Martha Stewart put it in her kitchen! Am I totally loosing it or what?

Well, now that I think of it, you're probably thinking that I've completely lost it by even thinking cork can be made into a good floor covering option.  I mean, come on, isn't that what they make cork boards out of?

Yup, we're talking about the same ingredient here!  And, no, I'm not going crazy.  Cork is a great option for a floor!  Did you know there is a cork floor in the Library of Congress?

And, thankfully, there are many different design options than this...

or this...

Like isn't this room stunning?

Or this one?

But what about the durability?  What if I told you there was a beautiful cork floor available that was backed by a Lifetime (for as long as you have it in your home) Residential Warranty and a 5 Year Light/Medium Commercial Warranty?

I'm not kidding. Almada Cork by USFloors is that high of a quality (and still less costly than many hardwoods)!  I bet I have your attention now, right?

Now, why would you possibly want cork in your home over...

• carpet?
• hardwood/laminate/bamboo?
• ceramic/porcelain/stone?
• vinyl?

Here are just some of the unique benefits of cork.

1. Softer underfoot - because of the resiliency of cork you have a much softer floor underfoot.  This increases the comfort (and safety if you're thinking about a children's rec room or a kitchen).
2. Highly sustainable - when harvested, the tree is not harmed at all and will be able to produce again very quickly PLUS all cork floors are actually made from the left over cork from the wine bottling industry.
3. Very healthy - remember that Almada cork I told you about from USFloors? That holds a v.3 LEED rating and the highest Greenguard certification.
4. Bug repelling - insects such as mites and termites (not to mention mold) really don't like this floor.
5. Fire resistant - due to its natural waxy characteristic (Suberin), it is very difficult to burn cork and when it does combust it doesn't release any harmful gasses.
6. Insulation - because of the pockets of air trapped by the unique cell structure of the cork, it is the best hard surface floor for insulation. If you like the look of hardwood/bamboo and other benefits of hard surfaces but are concerned about warmth and insulation, take a look at cork. The average R value (measure of insulation) of carpet is 1.4 and the average R value of cork is 1.2 while the average R value of hardwood/bamboo is 0.7 and ceramic is 0.25. This same property helps the floor feel warmer underfoot (or cooler in the warm months) and helps insulate against sound (hence why it is often used for music and entertainment rooms).

But where can cork be used? Anywhere in a home (restaurants also like it!)  Due to its durability it can be placed in high traffic areas of the home such as the kitchen.  And due to its high moisture resistance (remember, they use it to seal wine bottles!) it can also be used in half baths (we're cautious about showers and bathtubs though a sheet of cork would be a good option), mudrooms, utility rooms, and entryways.

So, what are your thoughts?  Is cork an option for you?

Oh, and so you know about it's popularity in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States (especially Central Maryland/the greater Baltimore region); I have now worked with 5 people who were considering a cork floor since November 2011!  Two of those clients have already had it installed (and it looks beautiful, they are completely thrilled), one just started her project but is dead set on cork, and the other two are between cork and hardwood.

If there are any questions, please feel free to leave a comment, call me at the office (410-480-0087), or send me an email at Katlin@MercerCarpetOne.com!