Wednesday, May 30, 2012

[You're Invited] Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for our New Designer Flooring Showroom in Ellicott City Maryland!




You heard that we've moved to our new Designer Flooring Showroom a few blocks up from our original Ellicott City showroom.  Well, we've been getting settled into our new home and are excited to invite you to our Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, June 16th from 10am till Noon!


Please join us, the Howard Chamber of Commerce, our business partners, and clients for...

  • Delicious brunch buffet
  • Great door prizes
  • Excellent coupons

Find us at the intersection of Centennial Lane and Rt. 40 behind the CVS and next to the Howard Bank and Bon Appetit Bakery at 10155 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042.  Our number is 410-480-0087 and RSVPs are not required but are definitely appreciated!


Also, in celebration of the move, our manufacturers are giving us outstanding special pricing.  So, all special order flooring products are 50% off until June 23rd!  That includes carpet, rugs, hardwood, ceramic, porcelain, stone, bamboo, cork, laminate, and vinyl!

Will you be able to make it?

Friday, May 25, 2012

[Ceddi Fund] Mixed Bag Fundraiser




Remember Ceddi?
Ceddi, 5 years old, waiting to come home for the first time.
In order to help J and his wife raise the necessary funds to bring their new child home, Mercers has started a fundraiser with MixedBag Designs.


First a little background as to why we have decided to help support J and his family with their beautiful goal.  As a 3rd generation family business, Mercers knows the importance of a strong family in helping to uplift and support its members.  We also know how much J and his wife love their children and each other and know that they are going to offer young Ceddi the love, the support...the family he so needs and deserves.


Also, you can read more about Ceddi's story here, but as a quick synopsis in case you missed the first post...

J and his wife have been working for quite some time on adopting Ceddi from the Philippines and were recently approved to do so.  Everything is all ready to go except for the final hurdle.  They need to raise $10,000 for the final legal fees and transportation costs.  They have been working closely with their church, family, and friends throughout the process and recently told the rest of the Mercer Team about their goal so we've decided to provide whatever support we can and appreciate any you can provide as well.


Now about MixedBags.


MixedBag Designs sole goal is to assist with fundraisers such as this one.  They pull together a seasonal selection of bags and other frequently used items with stunning designs, huge practicality, and excellent quality.  Their products are also eco-conscious as they are mostly made from recycled plastic.  And, even with having 50% of the proceeds going straight to the fundraiser (in this case J and his family), the prices are excellent!

Go to http://www.mixedbagdesigns.com/spring-2012 to see the current selection!
Here is a few examples of what's currently available!


They have insulated lunch bags, reusable sandwich bags, totes of various shapes and sizes galore, picnic sets, laptop protective cases, iPhone and iPad protective cases, blank cards, note pads, and much more available.

Please take a look through, share with your friends, and - when you place an order - include our Fundraiser Group #105834 on the Review and Submit section.  The bags etc. you order online will be shipped directly to you and directly support a local family looking to share the love.

You can also visit either Mercer showroom to look at samples and catalogs and place your order with a member of the Mercer Team!


P.S. - All orders must be in by June 22nd!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

[Guest Post] Top 5 Nursery Essentials for New Families





Guest post contributed by Neal Rochester, on behalf of Walls Need Love. Neal is an interior design enthusiast and graphic designer. In his spare time, he designs nursery wall decals and vinyl wall art for kids bedrooms.

Once you have brought in the basic furniture necessary in a nursery, it is time to add some essentials that personalize the room. These small details can play a major role in setting the mood in your baby's nursery.


1: Lighting is always an important factor in a room's decor. 

Some type of chandelier can make a beautiful addition to a nursery, and does not have to cost an exorbitant amount of money. Many babies tend to enjoy their bright, shimmering lights. It doesn't need to be so large that it becomes excessive or overpowering for the room; a miniature chandelier will often be sufficient. For a more inexpensive option, you could add multicolored pendants to an existing light or some mini pendant lights to the room as a way to bring in a burst of color. Remember, the color scheme of a nursery does not always have to be soft pastels.


2: Babies are intrigued by items that are colorful and that move. 

Instead of placing an ordinary baby-themed mobile on the side of your baby's crib, add a decorative, modern ceiling-mount mobile to the room. This type of room accessory can still be used throughout a variety of room makeovers as your baby grows up and his or her interests change.


3: Every nursery needs a comfortable chair. 

A glider rocker with an ottoman can be a preferable alternative to an ordinary chair, or even a traditional rocking chair. Gliders are extremely comfortable for whenever your baby needs attention in the middle of the night or simply for when you want a peaceful moment to sit and hold your baby. If you prefer a rocker rather than a glider, consider choosing a unique contemporary design to add interest to the nursery decor. The nursery should have the most comfortable seat in the house.


4: Storage space is also essential in a nursery. 

An armoire is an easy way to boost the storage space the room offers. You can choose an armoire in a color that complements your nursery theme, one that has unique kid-friendly art on its front or simply one with a classic wood stain. Most armoires offer a combination of cabinet and drawer storage, with the bonus that they allow you to conceal all of their contents simply by closing their doors. This ensures that your nursery always looks neat, organized and uncluttered.


5: You should also decorate the walls of the nursery in a way that personalizes the room. 

One easy way to do this is to hang over-sized letters to spell out your baby's name on the wall. Wall words can be used to express a sentiment straight from your heart, and are available in nearly any theme you could imagine. They are easy to put on and easy to remove, causing no damage to your walls. As time passes, you can change the wall stickers and words to whatever is more appropriate for your child as they grow.


Setting up a nursery should be a fun experience. There is no rule that says you have to stick with any specific color scheme or decorating style. When adding the essentials to your nursery, choose items that make your baby's room functional and convenient while still creating a fun, positive environment.

What tips and ideas do you have about designing nurseries?

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Why Do Hardwood Grades and Grains Matter?



Do you prefer to see character in your hardwood?  The knots, mineral streaks, and defined graining?


Or do you prefer a smooth looking hardwood where the graining is light and there are almost no knots, mineral streaks, etc?


Whichever you prefer is completely due to personal preference, your individual style.  I personally love the hardwoods with lots of character (and I also prefer them hand scraped with some chatter marks).


But not everyone likes that.  Others prefer more contemporary looks with a smooth finish.


How do you know what kind of look you're getting?  Hardwood is a natural product and nature defines exactly what each tree is going to look like and the sample isn't always 100% correct.  But there are ways to get one look over the other.


First of all take a look at the type of hardwood that you prefer.  Each species has it's own characteristics (my two favorite species are Hickory and Walnut).

hand scraped hickory with a stain

Walnut natural

Once you've narrowed down your options regarding species, now you need to look at the way the hardwood has been cut.


Depending on how the hardwood is cut can really affect how the grain appears all else equal.  By the way, if a hardwood comes both in solid and engineered styles they will look different.  Engineered hardwoods are cut vertically or pain sawn while solid hardwoods are cut flat or quarter sawn.

End grain hardwood
The next thing to look at also affects price and that is the grade of hardwood you're purchasing.  Even if it comes from the exact same tree the graining can vary widely depending on where in the tree it is located.


The closer to the inside of the tree the smoother the grain; the closest to the bark the higher the variation and amount of knots.
  • Clear and Select Hardwood - highest in price, lowest in variation, smoothest grain, least amount of knots and mineral streaks
  • Grade 1 and 2 - are the grades in between with middling levels of character and more average pricing
  • Cabin Grade - is the hardwood from the outside of the tree; this has the most mineral streaks, variations, and mineral streaks; it is also the least expensive
Why the price difference?  Very simply put: availability.  There is much more of the Cabin Grade available than the Clear and Select but the demands are pretty much equal so the prices must differ.

Economics 101
So, what looks do you prefer?  Here are some more pictures to help spark the imagination!





What is your ideal hardwood look?  How would you incorporate it into the design of your dream home?  Have any good pictures/stories to share?

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Top 5 Posts: May 2009 till May 2012




It is interesting what catches people's attention.  Here are the most popular posts of all time for Let's Talk About Floors:

1: [Decorating Ideas] Adding Texture: Burlap - over 12,400 views! (My mind is officially boggled.)


2: The Truth About Brazilian Cherry - over 4,000 views!


3: Taneytown has Boasting Rights? - over 1,300 views!


4: 2011-2012 Top Color Palettes - over 1000 views!


5: How to Design an Outdoor Room - over 800 views!


What are your thoughts on these posts?  Is your favorite post not listed?

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

[Guest Post] 5 Must-Haves for Every New Homeowner's Kitchen




The kitchen is one of the most frequented rooms in the home and is often the first thought on any homeowner’s shopping list. However, with the hubbub of moving in and arraigning items, it can be easy to lose track of all the items that are needed for a fully stocked kitchen. 



Don’t leave yourself in a situation where you’re nearly done with a recipe, yet find that you’re missing an essential item! Instead, make sure ahead of time that your kitchen is ready with all the necessary equipment it needs.



5 Essential Items for the Kitchen

It is important to ensure that your kitchen is well stocked as possible. The following essential items are vital for any homeowner’s kitchen, whether they’re a new or seasoned cook:



  • Pots and Pans

Without pots and pans, it would be quite difficult to complete a majority of recipes. There are a wide range of items within this category, ranging from skillets and pans to larger broilers. While there is a variety of specialty cookware such as crepe or paella pans, most kitchens will suffice with a basic set of pots and pans. In addition, pots and pans are made in a wide variety of materials, ranging from stainless steel, copper, and cast iron. Each material has a different effect on the cooking process, so make sure that you understand specifications for each item.  



  • Utensils

Without utensils, it would be impossible to measure, peel, stir, or mash any ingredients. There are a wide range of utensils that are seen in a typical kitchen, such as measuring spoons and cups, colanders, cutting boards, and wooden spoons. A variety of utensils are specifically designed for preparing vegetables, such as peelers, mashers, or salad spinners. Finally, items such as whisks, tongs, ladles, and spatulas are essential for handling food during the cooking process. 


  • Dishware

Unless the homeowner wants to eat out of a pot or pan, it is recommended that they purchase a set of dining plates. However, there is a variety of other dishware that is commonly seen in kitchens. Mixing bowls and casserole dishes are essentials, playing a major role in food preparation. In addition, many kitchens possess airtight, containers for food storage, whether in the cabinet or the refrigerator.


  • Knives

No kitchen is complete without a set of good knives. There are a variety of knives that are typical in a set, ranging from paring knives, bread knives, and the all-purpose chef’s knife. Unless the homeowner prefers placing knives in a drawer, a knife block is a great way to neatly store these items.  When choosing a knife set, look for quality high-carbon steel and a handle that fits nicely in your hand.


  • Electrical Equipment

Finally, many kitchens have a variety of additional electrical equipment, designed to handle a variety of needs and purposes. Toaster ovens, microwaves, juicers, blenders, and mixers are all very common electrical tools for kitchens. Finally, for individuals that need a pick-me-up to get the day started, a coffee maker and/or tea kettle is an essential item in the kitchen.



With these guidelines in mind, take a look at how you like to cook and eat.  What are some specialty tools that your kitchen cannot do without? For example, do you typically cook in the oven or on the stove top?  Make sure the right utensils, pots, pans, etc for your preferred method.


Sara Fletcher enjoys learning about all aspects of the home, ranging from walk in bathtubs to green furniture. She one day hopes to build her own dream home, complete with double bathroom vanities.