Every home remodeling starts begins with a first step. I am big fan of laminate flooring and today I would like to introduce you to the Best Laminate Flooring Trends of 2012! From traditional to rustic, laminate floor satisfies the taste for flooring as unique as you are. So get ready for an adventure as I show you the hottest, most popular flooring trends for this year. And I hope that by browsing through featured floor collections, you will be inspired to take the first step in your home remodeling journey.

Recently, many hot trends in the flooring market have arisen;

Trend #1: The French Bleed Floors

This style is incredibly popular right now. A very rustic, classy trend, where each board has darkened edges to provide a contrast to the floors natural color, and highlight each plank. The French Bleed floors have a very elegant and sophisticated look. Usually offered in narrow 5″ wide planks with micro-beveled edges for ultra natural look of the hardwood floor.

Some floors with the French Bleed finish I suggest are three colors in the Belmont collection available currently at Bestlaminate for $1.39 per square foot in:

• Antique Bronze
• Burgundy
• Saddle

If you have contemplated updating the flooring in your home, a French Bleed floor maybe exactly what you are looking for offering style, affordability, and durability. And, as always with laminate floor-a light sweep, damp mop, or an occasional light vacuum; and your French Bleed floors will be good to go.

Trend #2: Dark Floors with Handscraped Finish

The Handscraped finish is perfectly imperfect! Literally, the floor is replicating hand sculpted hardwood, and many broad and shallow grooves are created to give it a more natural, deep and rich texture. Each plank is different, and when installed, the floor looks very earthy and natural. The hand scraped finish is popular, but when it is applied on dark colored floors, it is the best of both worlds. The darkness of floor creates a luxurious look, and the hand scraped finish adds a rustic touch. Handscraped decors are considered as a “premium floor” and in most cases comes with premium heavy-durability, 12mm (1/2″)thickness and ultra natural 4-sided beveled edges.

Here are just few stunning Dark Handscraped finished floors I really like:

• Quick-Step Arte in Versailles Dark -in stunning wood inlay design
• Kronoswiss in Noce Rubio
• Quick-Step Sculptique in Black Cherry
• Mannington Restoration Historic Oak in Charcoal

Trend #3: Piano High Gloss Finish

The Piano high gloss finish is ultra chic and fabulous. The name doesn’t lie, the Piano High Gloss Finish literally has the high gloss and glowing finish of a grand piano. Recently, it has become one of the hottest trends in the flooring world. Piano finished floors have the clearest detail, and look so realistic and rich that they could be mistaken for hardwood. Piano High Gloss Finish floors can add that much needed ’spark’ to any space. In most cases this floor style comes in narrow 5″ wide plank with micro beveled edges to highlight natural wood look.

Here are popular piano high gloss finished collections:

• Armstrong Grand Illusions – selection 12 stunning decors
• Bruce Park Avenue – available in 6 chic colors
• Diamond Living Collection- featuring great decors and commercial AC4 durability

Trend #4: Earthy Toned Floors

In this crazy fast-paced world we are living in, sometimes we forget about nature. It is evident that home owners around the world have noticed because floors in earthy, natural tones have become popular everywhere. Soft, natural looking colors are a perfect fit for any space, and will provide a calm and serene look.

Some earthy toned laminates worth looking into are:

• Mannington Restoration Collection – I love all the seven colors from this collection!
• Quick-Step Modello in Smoky Rustic Oak
• Kronopol in Applewood
• Alloc Original in Antique Oak
• Inhaus Urban Loft in California Rosewood

Trend #5: Coastal / White Washed Tones

Don’t we all want to go on vacation? Now? Consumers world wide have been recently bringing that ‘vacation-feel’ into their home with coastal white washed floors. This new trend creates a rustic ‘beachy’ feel, and makes any space feel like a paradise. The white washed finish allows some wood grain and texture to show through, but remains mostly white to give a room a very fresh and clean feel.

Some of my favorite coastal inspired decors:

• Kronoswiss Noblesse in Oristano Oak- the whites floor is ever seen!
• Kronopol in Oak NarvikPergo Accolade in Bleached Pine
• Armstrong White Wash Walnut- warm and exotic
• Inhaus Urban Loft in Whitewashed Oak- simply one-of-the-kind!

Now that you’re familiar with all the hot new 2012 flooring trends, picking the right floor might be easier. There is a floor for everyone! Now let your imagination run wild throughout the house-you will be

Before you start any project you should always plan out your goals. If you are considering the possibility of re-selling in the next five years or so then you should think about improvements that will bring the most value. There are a few key areas that we will discuss in this article that focus on rooms that give the most bang for the buck.

The Kitchen

The first room that you can save money on is in the kitchen area. There are many wonderful, and simple ideas you can incorporate to save yourself some big dollars. If you enjoy shopping at garage sales you can often find cute little items that go nicely on the walls to add charm. You may also find a sink or faucet that someone purchased and never used. Often times, if you find items that someone purchased and for whatever reason decided not to install you may be able to purchase it for pennies on the dollar.

The Bathroom

The second room that will give you the best return on your money, and thus save you over all is by working on improving your bathrooms. Again, you can find many wonderful items for your master bath or guest bathroom by planning ahead. One of the most attractive improvements today is the freestanding sink. This will add elegance and flow to the room. It gives the room a feel that there is actually more space than perhaps there really is.

Save By Shopping Online

You can save time and money by shopping on Craigslist for used or in some cases new items. Many people will advertise their used items after they have done a recent remodel. You could even post a listing specifying what types of items you are looking for. It is best to be specific or you may get lots of useless calls. Although you may find that most of the items listed are used they can still save you a lot of money in the long run and will usually be in pretty good working order.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Save-Money-With-Simple-Home-Remodeling-Tips—Part-One&id=7034227

By using these simple tips on your next home remodeling project, you can save time and money, which are two things most of us need more of! And when you’re contemplating what to do next, always keep us in mind. We can help you with all your home improvement and home remodeling needs!

3810 Clemmons rd, Clemmons, NC 27012

1-800-913-3873

http://www.crawfordhomeimprovements.net/

“For more than 30 years, the name Surya has been synonymous with high quality, innovation and luxury. Our Spring 2012 collections are no exception. Our designers have masterfully created some of the most cutting edge and versatile pieces to date. Encompassing their expert understanding of the latest trends in fashion and interior design, each product is a perfect combination of color, pattern and texture.

In 1976, in the small Northeastern village of Ugapur, India, Surya M. Tiwari was a man set apart from the crowd. Working as a teacher and local contractor in his rural village, he knew of greater places and dreamed of a greater purpose. Countless tales of Bombay, its modern technology and its luxurious accommodations, drew him to the bustling coastal city. So like many inquisitive people from Ugapur, he set out to discover what possibilities might await him in such a place. But Surya did not simply go to Bombay and marvel; he approached each new discovery as an opportunity for greatness. And so, when he came to the famed Taj Hotel, he did not just stand outside and admire its beauty and opulence; he boldly went inside. It was there, in the lobby of one of world’s most prestigious hotels that Surya Tiwari was introduced to the Federated Group.

The Federated Group, known today as Macy’s Inc., went to India in 1976 in order to acquire new products for their growing number of American retail stores. They were interested in local, hand-made goods and were inviting anyone who could manufacture and supply these items to inquire. Surya was inspired by this prospect, and so he spoke with the Federated Group representative who sent him to New Delhi to meet with prospective buyers. Surya spoke with the buyers and pitched his ideas. The Federated buyers were intrigued, and told Surya that they would travel to Ugapur in one week to tour his manufacturing facility and see his products. Surya left New Delhi with one week to return to his village, establish some type of production site, and fabricate an entire collection of merchandise. Renting a traditional wedding tent and purchasing ready-made goods from local craftsmen, Surya was able to convince the Federated buyers that his products were right for their market. A daring endeavor had placed Surya Tiwari on his journey to success.

Over the next several years Surya continued to supply his Federated clients with products through his company, aptly named Surya. His first collection of rugs consisted of simple hand-knotted pieces of one or two colors. His business was growing, but Surya felt he could do more. From 1976 to 1985 he made many trips to the United States to work directly with his clients so that he could achieve a better understanding of their businesses and how he could provide higher quality service to each of them. The retailers encouraged him to establish an office within the U.S. to provide them with the direct personal contact they were missing. Ordering containers of goods from India was satisfactory, but it was impossible for them to specify items or to guarantee the arrival of top-selling products. Surya realized that immediate personal contact and service was the very thing that was needed to take his company to the next level. And, even though there were less than 10 Indian based corporations operating outside of India at that time, he began the long and laborious process of establishing his company abroad.

In 1986 it was made official. Surya M. Tiwari was granted authority to operate his business from within the United States. He made himself and his company unique by becoming directly involved in the process of improving and growing his clients’ businesses. As his list of customers grew, so too did his product selections. Today, Surya is the only rug manufacturer who has also developed a comprehensive collection of coordinating accessories to complement their rugs. Surya’s accessories include a unique assortment of hand crafted pillows and throws, an exclusive compilation of signed and numbered fine art pieces, and a variety of table and floor lamps.

In order to reach a wider range of buyers, Surya began participating in trade shows and markets in 1990. He was not allowed to lease a showroom for the 1990 Atlanta Market, so instead he rented available space at the nearby Westin Hotel and began making many valuable new contacts. In April of 2004, Surya appointed his son Satya Tiwari president of the company’s U.S. division. Surya’s direct involvement with its clients has resulted in them being an industry leader with more than 3,000 individual accounts. Employing the world’s best designers, Surya is known for their innovative use of color and design. And, with over 5,000 individual products Surya continues to be a premier source for today’s designs. Surya Inc. remains a vertically integrated manufacturer and currently exhibits in Atlanta, High Point, Las Vegas, New Delhi, and New York.”

http://www.surya.com/about-surya/

On April 22nd Surya hosted a party to celebrate its new showroom of over 26,000 square feet, which introduced over new products for this new market! To learn more, visit the website below!

http://www.surya.com/media/catalog/eblast/05042012/

One of the first things to look for in a carpet is a good padding. Many people do not consider this important just to save money. A carpet with a strong and durable padding can provide additional cushion. A carpet without good padding will wear and tear easily.

Carpets have various styles therefore you should choose the one that you really like and fits your personality. Do not dwell much on the uniqueness of its appearance. Your house should reflect your personality and a carpet will help achieve this.

Consider your budget. Make sure you get a carpet that does not cost a fortune. Ask from carpet dealers and installers their prices so that you can have an idea where to buy yours that would help you save money.

There are many places you can buy a carpet from. You can find them at showrooms, furniture shops, department stores and even on the internet. Go for establishments that are trustworthy and have been in the business for a long time. They should also specialize in installation as well.

Go for carpets that you can take care of easily so that you will always have clean ones. If you have kids or pets, do not go for carpets that are too expensive or are difficult to clean. Carpets that are resistant to stains can minimize the annoyance you will feel when spills happen.

There are carpets that have warranty options you can choose from. There are those with a 5 or 10 year warranty as well as warranties on crushing and matting. There are even guarantees that the carpet would be resistant to wear, tear and stains. If the quality of the carpet is superior, the warranty also has a big coverage. In choosing new carpet, do not just consider the warranty alone because these usually have a small coverage.

When shopping for new carpet, always look at the patterns and colors. There are many of them available that it would be difficult to decide which one to get. Look for colors and designs that go well with the tone or mood of the room you will install it in. If the room is huge, you can make it cozy by installing a golden or red-colored carpet. If you want a peaceful room, your carpet should be in the shades of green or light blue. A light color such as tan or cream will make a small space look bigger. This is ideal for people who feel claustrophobic in small areas.

A carpet can add beauty and design to a room or the entire house. Follow these seven tips in choosing new carpet so that you would be happy with the choice you bought.

http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Secrets-to-Selecting-the-Perfect-Carpet&id=7032000

So now that you are a bit better informed, do you have an idea of what you are looking for in selecting the perfect carpet for your home? We have all the best brands, styles, colors and best of all, at a price that fits into your budget! Call or come by today!

3810 Clemmons rd, Clemmons, NC 27012

1-800-913-3873

http://www.crawfordhomeimprovements.net/