Monday, January 21, 2013

Did You Know?

Enhance Floors & More was just named "Best of 2012" in the Flooring category by Kudzu.com! Many companies say they are the best; it has been confirmed again that Enhance IS the very best! The ranking was based on your votes on Kudzu. We really appreciate our great customers---thank you!



Dollar Tree Now Open At Sprayberry Square
We have a new neighbor in our Shopping Center. Welcome, Dollar Tree! The store has a great selection, is well organized and very easy to shop. We came across this great article on Kiplinger.com and thought you might find it helpful.

Kiplinger went shopping to find out what the best deals are at the dollar store:
Party Supplies
Everything from party invitations to decorations to balloons are worth buying at the dollar store. For instance, foil balloons easily run from $3 to $8 at party-supply stores, gift shops and supermarkets. But you can get them for $1 each - helium included - at the dollar store. Goodie bags, party favors and color-coordinated paper plates, napkins, cups and plastic cutlery are also a good buy.
Cleaning Supplies
According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, the cleaners you buy at the dollar store work just fine. You probably won't find many name brands, but the ingredients are similar - though perhaps more diluted. For everyday cleaning, they should do the trick. (For tougher cleaning jobs, you may have to spring for something more heavy-duty.) You can also get a good deal on rubber gloves, sponges, and scrub brushes.
Greeting Cards
Greeting cards are nice, but are they really worth $4? It's the thought or sentiment that counts, not what you spend. Dollar store cards are good-quality, too, so the recipient won't even guess that you scrimped.
Seasonal/Holiday Items
Whether you need to stuff Easter baskets or Valentine's Day boxes, or you simply want to deck the halls for your favorite holiday, you might save a few bucks at the dollar store. Seasonal paper plates and napkins are also a good deal - Kiplinger found packs of 20 for $1. On decorations, bargains can be hit-or-miss and subject to opinion.
Gift Wrapping Supplies
You can get a 20-foot roll of gift wrap at the dollar store for a buck, while you'll pay at least three times that at big-box and party-supply stores. Gift bags cost up to $5 at other stores, depending on size. But at the dollar store, all sizes are $1. Kiplinger also found huge savings on tissue paper, up to 75% off prices elsewhere. And don't forget the Scotch tape!
Cooking and Dining Accessories
Spoons, spatulas, cheese graters, ice cream scoops and more can be found at the dollar store for 50% to 90% off the prices at Target and Walmart. Wine glasses, dining plates and flatware are also available. Almost anything is a good buy in the kitchen department, with the exception of knives, which may be flimsy or dull.



The Best Money Saving Tip
Is to BUY NOW during our annual New Year~~New Look Flooring Sale. If you are planning on purchasing new flooring in 2013, do not miss out on what are truly the lowest prices of the year. Here of some examples of actual savings
~~~almost $350 off Mohawk Silk carpet for two rooms in the basement
~~~an incredible $1330 discount on hardwood floors for four bedrooms
~~~$470 off new QuickStep laminate floors for the family room and dining room
~~~$410 off new carpet for the family room, master bedroom, and stairs
~~~a $440 discount on new porcelain tile for the kitchen
~~~over $600 in savings for new carpet for the living room and master bedroom

 

Thinking about updating your staircase with wrought iron balusters?
Our Design of the Month below features;
Straight Hammered Bar, Single Diamond, Double Diamond and Scroll.





Friday, January 11, 2013

What's New At Enhance

We normally don't begin receiving new product samples until springtime, but this year our vendors are introducing new styles at record pace. We have already received brand new samples of WearDated Embrace (super soft nylon carpet) from Mohawk,

Stainmaster TruSoft from Tuftex Carpet of California and some great new carpet designs from Lexmark.

We have the newest styles of Congoleum resilient floors, including some beautiful wood and tile designs. We also have new imported woods, including unique species like Asian Pecan, Asian Walnut, and Mahogany. If you have been looking for the perfect new floor for your home, and just haven't found it, be sure to come in and see these brand new product introductions!


I Was FLOORED by Enhance!

Walter in Woodstock tells us that we did a great job with the installation of his new hardwood floors, and that our Installers left everything clean and neat when they finished. Sherrie in Kennesaw is very happy with her plush new DreamWeaver carpet. And Katalin in Smyrna can't believe how good her new Mohawk Oak laminate floor looks.

You can be just as happy as Walter, Sherrie, and Katalin when you choose Enhance Floors for your next home improvement project! Come see us, we are here to help you create the home of your dreams.




Now You See It, Now You Don't


One of the advantages of distressed hardwood floors is that you can do minor touch-ups yourself. The picture on the left is a wood sample that a "customer" returned to us covered with numerous scratches. Normally we would have to replace this sample.

Lucky for us, because this was a distressed floor, we were able to use a Sharpie marker to color in the scratches. The picture on the right is how the sample looks after we touched it up. If you are dreaming of new wood floors for your home, but are concerned about scratches and damage, be sure to ask your Enhance Design Consultant about distressed hardwoods!


NOTE: Do NOT try this on hardwood floors that are not distressed! Trying to touch up a "traditional" hardwood floor with a marker will look worse than if you had done nothing at all to the scratch.

I Was FLOORED by Enhance

Lori in Kennesaw says her new carpet looks great and that it was wonderful working with Enhance Floors. Teresa in Marietta loves her new QuickStep laminate floor. And Sandra in Roswell was so happy with the great job we did on her new hardwood floors that she referred her sister to us. We just installed the new carpet for her sister, so Sandra, watch your mailbox for your Decorating Dollars. Keep the great comments coming---we love to hear your feedback!



Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Stuck In The Past?

I recently stayed in a very nice home that was built in the 80's, and it was obvious that the interior has never been updated. Pink walls, lots of floral patterns, Berber carpet, white-washed glass-topped furniture, and shiny brass fixtures---I felt like I had stepped back in time!

This got me thinking about how often you should redecorate. A recent HomeGoods survey found that 47 percent of Americans haven't updated their home decor in the last five years - and nine percent haven't in more than 10 years.

While I totally think that good design is what YOU like and what makes YOU feel good about your space, and not what some expert says is "in", I think there are certain themes that can really date your space. Here are some of the major design trends of the past forty years. Is your home stuck in one of these decades?

The 1970s
Popular colors included green, yellow, orange, brown and turquoise. White was popular, with accents in any of the preceding colors. Synthetic materials were popular materials for furniture and accents---Lucite, chrome, plastic and vinyl. Wood floors were covered up with shag carpet, and every room had a lava lamp.


The 1980s
Floral patterns were in vogue---on sofas, chairs, bedding, wallpaper borders and window valances. Popular colors in the '80s included salmon, peach, mauve, teal and hunter green. Shag carpet was replaced with shorter plush carpet in colors such as pink and blue, or Berber. Vinyl flooring was used in bathrooms and kitchens. Many experimented with texturing, such as sponge painting and creating "popcorn" ceilings. Lots of mirrors are another sure sign of '80s style.

 The 1990s
Popular colors in the 90s were blues, white, yellow, and orangish tones like salmon and terra cotta. Shabby Chic, the idea that old, beautiful things are chic even if the paint is peeling, the fabric a little tattered, the metal a little tarnished, was popular. Other trends include cottage, retro/vintage, arts and crafts, and country.

 The 2000s
Jewel tones (burgundy, navy, dark green) were dominant colors in the early 2000s. Popular colors began to change by the mid 2000s to all shades of blue (midnight, slate, sea glass), oranges and reds (nutmeg, paprika), and browns and golds. These colors were paired with wood, stone, and slate, all increasingly used design elements in the 2000s.

What to Expect in 2013
The newest interior paint colors for 2013 are more natural and elegant: pale coastal blues, cream, gray, navy blue, gold, and browns. Wallpaper is back, trendy furniture will mix wood and metal, and popular finishes will be chrome, polished nickel and brass. To see more, spend some time on PINTEREST (CLICK HERE) and look for pictures that have numerous repins. These pins are the most popular and provide insight on coming trends.

Expect to see down-to-earth motifs featuring bamboo, shells, stained glass and stone in 2013. Homeowners have more disposable income, having learned how to be patient and wait, and want top value for their hard earned money and will be less likely to settle on less than ideal purchases.
Interior decorating is shifting from a "where can I save the most money" attitude into a "what will I love in this area" mentality right now.

 Start With The Floor
If a redecorating project is in your plans for 2013, our advice is to decorate from the floor up. Your floor coverings account for at least 30% of the room. We meet with many clients at the end of their design process who have a hard time finding and budgeting the perfect floor covering that "ties it all together." Your Enhance Floors Design Consultant will assist you with the perfect design plan that ensures that all of the design elements-paint, floors, fabrics, furniture, countertops, cabinets- complement each other and work together-on time and on budget.


No Better Time To Buy
And there is no better time than right now to buy! Our "New Year ~~ New Look" sale offers savings of up to 35% OFF on your new floor. Call or come by today to begin making all of your home improvement dreams come true in 2013.